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Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco
Releases in 2009
| LDEQ Accident Number Accident Date |
Point Source/Release | Cause | Notes |
| 120165 2009-12-15 | Point Source(s): bypass outfall 006 Pollutant(s):Wastewater - 0 | Cause of Problem: Weather due to a heavy rainfall, a bypass outfall was opened around the motiva storm water impoundment basin. As a result of this bypass operation, storm water was released | all that is noted is on 12-16-2009, the bypass outfall 006 was closed |
| 120076 2009-12-12 | Point Source(s): LPDES Outfall 006 Pollutant(s):Wastewater - 0 | Cause of Problem: Weather With heavy rainfall experienced the Refinery Storm Water Impoundment Basin (SWIB) exceeded its maximum capacity level, which resulted in the opening of the LPDES outfall 006. By opening the LPDES waste-water was discharged to Engineers Canal and bypassed the waste-water treatment facility | After heavy rainfall, bypass operations were stopped notes: no exceedence of permit limits occurred and all required notifications were made. However, there is only a refinery report filed for this incident...a LDEQ report was not attached |
| 119992 2009-12-08 | Point Source(s): compressor Pollutant(s):Benzene - 0 Hydrogen Sulfide - 0 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 0 Nitrogen Oxide - 0 | Cause of Problem: Process Upset The chemicals Benzene, H2S, Volatile organic compounds and Nitrogen Oxides were released after two compressors tripped due to an electrical breaker trip. no information given on amounts. | No remedial action was provided as to how the electrical breaker was fixed and release of chemicals were stopped. Verbal report only, no written report from the refinery. |
| 119925 2009-12-08 | Point Source(s): LPDES outfall 006 sewer lift station Pollutant(s):Water or Wastewater - 0 Sewage - 65 gallons | Cause of Problem: Weather There was a storm that occurred in the NORCO area resulting in heavy rainfall . As a result of the rainfall, the Refinery Stormwater Impoundment Basin (SWIB) exceeded its maximum capacity level of 10 feet. The LPDES Outfall 006 was forced to be open and allow bypass of wastewater. 2hrs before bypass event ended,there was a failure in the sewer lift station causing sanitary sewage to mix with the bypass wastewater. | bypass was stopped and all required notifications were made |
| 119903 2009-12-07 | Point Source(s): Propane tank truck rack Pollutant(s):Mercaptan - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Human Factors Upon investigation it was determined that a truck driver failed to close the loading and flare valve after loading the Motiva propane tank truck rack. By failing to close the valves a mercaptan gaseous compound mixture was released. | After driver realized the vent valve on the Motiva propane truck tank was left open, it was immediately closed. After sampling analysis was done, it was determined that the amount of mercaptan released did not exceed reportable quantities or permit limits. In the incident report there are two different state police incident numbers reported. On the refinery report the state police case number is 09-06612, whereas for the LDEQ incident report the number is s09-3932 |
| 119003 2009-10-25 | Point Source(s): HCU flare EPN 4-84 Pollutant(s):Nitrogen Oxide - BRQ Propylene - BRQ Volatile Organic Compounds - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure There was an instrument failure on the Hydro-cracker Unit (HCU) recycle gas compressor (K-1928). Because of this instrument failure excess flaring from the HCU flare (EPN 4-84) allowed release of the following gases: propylene, VOC's , and Nitrogen Oxides. Note: there were two follow up reports provided. The first followup report on 10-29-2009 was written to respond to a verbal notification. This report stated that ongoing sampling would be conducted. The second report on 11-19-2009 was written to report findings from sampling conducted at the incident site | after the flaring incident was noticed the HCU recycle gas compressor was shutdown and repairs were done to fix the speed controller . |
| 118534 2009-10-07 | Point Source(s): HCU Flare (EPN 4-84) Pollutant(s):Hydrogen - BRQ Nitrogen Oxide - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure There were mechanical problems associated the recycle compressor K-2057 that resulted in using the flare to release hydrogen and nitrogen oxide compounds as well as shut down the CR-2 unit. | Troubleshooting of the mechanical problems with the recycle compressor was completed. The thrust-bearing failure was discovered and repaired. Because the compounds released did not exceed reportable quantities, operations returned to normal conditions |
| 117941 2009-09-12 | Point Source(s): from outfall 006 Pollutant(s):Wastewater - 0 | Cause of Problem: Weather it was notified to LDEQ that an emergency discharge of stormwater through outfall 006 occured because of heavy rain | there was no information provided as to what remedial steps were taken after the discharge of storm water occurred. |
| 117729 2009-09-04 | Point Source(s): hole in pipe of CR-2 unit Pollutant(s):Carbon Monoxide - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing There was a hole in the CR-2 unit's Caustic and Water Wash column overhead piping allowing gas to be released into the air. Note: they are also labeling this incident as a reactor failure | After the hole in the piping was discovered, the CR-2 regeneration section was shut down and the piping was replaced |
| 117101 2009-08-06 | Point Source(s): No Information Given Pollutant(s):No Information Given - 0 | Cause of Problem: No Information Given Multiple gases were released after the bypassed emission control devices. There was no cause listed as to why this bypass of multiple gases occurred. | Remedial actions were not listed as to what was done to stop the bypass operation. Verbal report only, no letter from the refinery. |
| 115931 2009-06-24 | Point Source(s): not provided Pollutant(s): - 0 | Cause of Problem: No Information Given The problem was a leak on the gauge of the propane storage tank. No information was provided on what caused the leak to occur | Remedial actions were not stated in the incident report. Verbal report only, no written report from refinery. |
| 115844 2009-06-20 | Point Source(s): Coker Flare Pollutant(s):1,3-Butadiene - BRQ Benzene - BRQ Carbon Monoxide - BRQ Cyclohexane - BRQ Hexane - BRQ Nitrogen Oxide - BRQ Volatile Organic Compounds - BRQ Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Process Upset There was an operational upset with the wet gas compressor at the Coker Fractionator that resulted in the opening of the unit's pressure control valve. The opening of this valve allowed emissions to be sent to the Coker Flare thus allow several compound to be released into the air. | after immediate response the problem was troubleshooted. In the end, the high level increase in the overhead accumulator of the Coke Incinerator was corrected and operations returned to normal conditions |
| 115703 2009-06-16 | Point Source(s): incinerator stack in sulfur plant Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure there was an air trip transmitter failure that caused the Sulfur-3 unit to trip online unexpectedly. Due to this online trip, a release of sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the air occurred from both the S-3 and S-2 tail gas incinerators . | The sulfur gas was diverted from the S-3 unit to the S-2 unit. The transmitter was repaired by maintenance so that the S-3 unit could become fully operational. it was noted that material went offsite as the sulfur material was released into the air |
| 115503 2009-06-08 | Point Source(s): sewage pump Pollutant(s):Wastewater - 10 pounds | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure the sewage lift station pump failed causing wastewater to be released and bypass the onsite treatment facility. | the pump was replaced and the site where the spill occurred was washed down with fresh water and was cleaned up using a vacuum truck. It was noted that the spill was contained and no wastewater entered any nearby waterways |
| 115370 2009-06-01 | Point Source(s): sealing joint leak at sewer at berth 1 header Pollutant(s):Water - 0 | Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket There was failure at the sealing joint a leak occurred to release non-contact steam water. This water which normally flows to the wastewater treatment facility was leaked onto the ground. | The sealing joint was repaired. Verbal report only, no report from the refinery. |
| 115304 2009-05-28 | Point Source(s): flare Pollutant(s):Hydrogen - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure there was mechanical failure in the recycling hydrogen compressor K-2057 at the CR2unit. As a result of this failure a hydrogen flaring event occurred | there was no report on what remedial actions were taken to fix the mechanical problem associated with the recycling hydrogen compressor. It has just been noted that the event did not result in an emergency nor did the levels of the compound release exceed reportable quantities On 5/29/2009 the LDEQ reporter contacted the site supervisor at Shell Norco as a follow-up to the incident that occurred on 5/28/2009 |
| 115263 2009-05-27 | Point Source(s): Cat Cracker debutanizer column Pollutant(s):Benzene - 0 Propylene - 0 Butylene - 0 Sulfur Dioxide - 0 Hydrogen Sulfide - 0 | Cause of Problem: No Information Given States that there was a problem with the Cat Cracker Debutanizer column. Propylene, butylene, Benzene, SO2, and H2S were released...there was no cause listed as to how these chemicals were released | There were no remedial actions listed as to how the problem was corrected with the Cat Cracker and no mention as to how the release of these chemicals were stopped. Verbal report only, no letter from the refinery. |
| 114879 2009-05-12 | Point Source(s): plug from a line Pollutant(s):Benzene - BRQ Sour Water - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures during a maintenance operations a plug was blown from its line due to high water pressure levels. This in turn caused the plug to break free and allow the sour water (containing benzene) to be released | There was not an official verification of what was carried out to remediate the problem. It was noted that vacuum trucks might have been able to handle the spill and that a new valve would be inserted to close off the line and stop the leak. Because the release spilled onto the concrete containment where the PPI separator is, that unit was blocked off. |
| 114876 2009-05-09 | Point Source(s): No Information Given Pollutant(s):No Information Given - 0 | Cause of Problem: Other (Unknown) There is no mention of the cause of problem. The problem reported was that materials were released to the top of the internal roof floating tank D422. No mention of how this occurred was detailed. | Remedial actions were not stated as to how the release of materials were stopped from going through the floating tank D422. Verbal report only, no letter from refinery. |
| 114485 2009-04-26 | Point Source(s): hole in bleach tank TM-5694 Pollutant(s):Sodium Hypochlorite - 730 pounds | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing there was corrosion of stainless steel piping on the bleach tank TM-5694 that resulted in the release of Sodium Hypochlorite solution into both the tanks concrete containment and surrounding soil. | the impacted soil was washed with water and a vaccum truck was used to recover the standing material. |
| 114180 2009-04-15 | Point Source(s): None Reported Pollutant(s): | Cause of Problem: Other (Unknown) It was observed that crude oil had been released into the wastewater conveyance ditch from an unknown source. | The spill was secured and ES&H were contracted to conduct cleanup using absorbents and a vacuum truck. Verbal report only, no letter from the refinery. |
| 113913 2009-04-02 | Point Source(s): 3-inch de-watering hose line Pollutant(s):Crude Oil - 42 pounds Benzene - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing After de-watering a RU gasoline take (F-456) and 2 crude oil tanks (A-413 and A-416) it was noticed that there was a leak coming from a 3 inch de-watering hose. This leak was linked to a corrosion in that 3-inch de-watering line. As a result of the incident, both crude oil and benzene vapor were released | the corroding line was isolated and clamped while booms were put in the ditch as a way to prevent further migration of the released material. A pumper truck was used to recover the compounds released, and these compounds were discharged into the refineries slop oil system. contaminated soil was disposed of sent to an on-site landfill. Waste water that was contaminated received full treatment before being discharged |
| 113788 2009-03-27 | Point Source(s): LPDES outfall 006 Pollutant(s):Wastewater - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Weather Heavy rainfall was experienced in the Norco area causing the Refinery storm water impoundment basin (SWIB) to rapidly fill and subsequently exceed its maximum capacity level. As a result, the LPDES outfall 006 had to be opened and the discharge was allowed to bypass the refinery waste water treatment system | After normal operating procedures were restored, and capacity remained in the SWIB all bypass operations were stopped. |
| 113823 2009-03-27 | Point Source(s): No Information Given Pollutant(s):No Information Given - 0 | Cause of Problem: Other (Unknown) It was reported that the levee was leaking into the community ditch. There was no information provided as to what caused the levee to begin leaking nor was there information on what was released and the quantity of release substances | There was no information provided on what was done to stop the levee from leaking into the community ditch. Verbal report only, no letter from the refinery. |
| 113517 2009-03-19 | Point Source(s): tank water draw line servicing crude oil storage tanks Pollutant(s):Crude Oil - 84 gallons | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing oil/water mixture discovered leaking from above ground pipeline--out-of-service tank water draw line. Mixture migrated in an earthen (diked) pipeway 800' east and stopped. Heavy rains occurred a few days into cleanup, flooding contained area where spill occurred. No DEQ report in this file, follow-up letter only. | Clamped leak. Four vacuum trucks dispatched to remove free liquid, brought to Motiva's recovered oil sump for reprocessing in the refinery. Contaminated soil excavated and placed into plastic bags for disposal. Will add "Micro-Sorb(tm)" to the ground to further promote biodegradation of any low-level residual hydrocarbons once area dries out after the heavy rains. Will flush line then blind and isolate it. |
| 113336 2009-03-11 | Point Source(s): flare Pollutant(s):No Information Given - 0 | Cause of Problem: No Information Given GEO start up there were multiple complaints on a huge flare release at Norco facility. The cause of this huge flare was due to the facility conducting a GEO startup | There were no remedial actions listed as to what was done to stop the flare. |
| 113296 2009-03-10 | Point Source(s): firewater system Pollutant(s):Water or Wastewater - 50 gallons | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing It was reported that there was a leak in the firewater line part of the firewater distribution system. Some of the water was captured by the wastewater treatment system but some was also sprayed onto Airline Hwy as a result of this leak. | the appropriate block valves were used to isolate the leaking firewater header |
| 113158 2009-03-05 | Point Source(s): piping from two bleach tanks: T-M5693 and T-5694 Pollutant(s):Sodium Hypochlorite - 48 pounds | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing Piping connected to 2 bleach tanks: T-M5693 and T-5694,had a joint problem which resulted in a leak of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) solution into the containment dike and surrounding soil. | Soil contaminated with the NaClO solution was washed with water and a vacuum truck was used to recover the standing material. When the compound was release,d wind conditions were reported at a wind movement from the south at 12mph |
| 113102 2009-03-01 | Point Source(s): water boot Pollutant(s): - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket There was a small leak that formed on the steam condensate water boot at the wharf's structure. This leak was caused by sealing joint material that failed on the steam condensate water boot. As a result of this leak, virgin steam condensate was discharged. | spill containment was deployed and the bypass was stopped after the containment was in place. There was no evidence of oil sheen on the released steam condensate. A metal jacket was installed to re-seal the joint on the water boot |
| 112842 2009-02-14 | Point Source(s): LPDES outfall 006 Pollutant(s):Wastewater - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Weather On February 13, 2009 a rain event occurred in the NORCO area causing the SWIB to fill rapidly in a short period of time. After the SWIB exceeded its capacity level, the LPDES Outfall 006 was opened. Opening of the LPDES outfall 006 allowed the discharge to enter Engineers canal and bypass entering the waste water treatment facility | After the rain event was over, bypass operations were stopped on February 15,2009. |
| 112400 2009-01-29 | Point Source(s): seal leak from pump 5658 Pollutant(s):#6 Oil - 84 gallons | Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket There was a seal leak on pump P-5658. This leak caused approximately 2 barrels of #6 oil to be released and enter a storm water ditch. Ground water was affected by the leak of oil from this pump. | The spill was contained by forming a dike and boom in the storm water ditch, and then using a vacuum truck to clean up the oil. As reported, the oil did not leave the facility property. There are conflicting statements as to what was released. The incident report states 2 barrels released from #6 oil, while another report states 2 barrels released from #6 oil residue. |
| 111719 2009-01-04 | Point Source(s): LPDES outfall 006 Pollutant(s):Wastewater - 0 | Cause of Problem: Weather Due to a storm, a severe rain incident occurred that resulted in the Refinery Storm Water Impoundment Basin (SWIB) exceeding its maximum capacity level to hold waste water. As a result, the LPDES Outfall 006 was open to release waste-water and allow it to bypass entering the waste-water treatment facility | After the bypass was completed and SWIB was not exceeding its maximum capacity level, all bypass operations were stopped. Sample collection and analysis was performed as well |
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