LA Bucket Brigade : Refinery Accident Database

Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco

Releases in 2010

LDEQ Accident Number Accident Date	Point Source/Release	Cause	Notes
128035 2010-12-08	Point Source(s): FLARE: Coker WGC (K-2178), Coker Flare (EPN 2-84) Pollutant(s): Sulfur Dioxide - 2,989 pounds Nitrogen Oxide - 46 pounds Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 36 pounds 1,3-Butadiene - 0 pounds Benzene - 3 pounds Particulate Matter - 9 pounds Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds (HRVOCs) - 15 pounds	Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure Refinery letter states that Motiva experienced a flaring release caused by an unexpected shutdown of the Coker Wet Gas compressor due to power loss. Power loss is attributed to fault in MCC breaker and 4160V buss.	RQ. Coker Unit shutdown and restarted when flaring stopped. Re-evaluated relay settings and adjusted as needed to reduce potential for future trips.
127976 2010-12-03	Point Source(s): FLARE: S-2 & S-3 Sulfur units; Coker flare (FE-401), Shell Go-1 & OL-5 Flares FLARE:Shell Go-1 & OL-5 Flares Pollutant(s): Sulfur Dioxide - 28,215 pounds Carbon Monoxide - 3,972 pounds Nitrogen Oxide - 660 pounds Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 990 pounds Hexane - 85 pounds Benzene - 0 pounds	Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures Motiva's S-2 and S-3 sulfur plants tripped offline while analyzer FI-3677 was being calibrated. During analyzer calibration, air flow was reduced, initiating shutdown of S-2. Acid gas was diverted through to S-3 and pushed into gas knock out drum resulting in shut down of S-3. Acid gas was routed to Coker Flare and Shell's Go-1 flare. Shared incident with SHELL CHEMICAL LP. Emissions included flaring from both facilities.	RQ. Sulfur plants were restarted, operating procedures for safely calibrating instruments will be developed and included in operations training program, training conducted for personnel. Calculations provided confirm that the reportable quantity for sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter was exceeded.
127868 2010-11-29	Point Source(s): No Information Given Pollutant(s): No Information Given - 0	Cause of Problem: No Information Given	No report.
127866 2010-11-27	Point Source(s): FLARE: West Ops Ground Flare [EPN 9-84] Pollutant(s): Carbon Monoxide - BRQ Nitrous Oxide - BRQ Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ Butadiene - BRQ Benzene - BRQ Hexane - BRQ Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - BRQ	Cause of Problem: Process Upset Refinery letter states that "Shell Chemical's GO-1 Process unit experienced an upset when the feed to the unit furnaces was unexpectantly shut off. This process led to flaring at the Motiva's West Operations Ground Flare." SHARED INCIDENT WITH SHELL CHEMICAL PLANT. Separate report will be filed for Shell LP Norco Chemical Plant-East Site will be submitted. FLARE.	BRQ. Follow-up reports states that no reportable quantities or permit limits were exceeded. No Information Given regarding remedial actions. Refinery letter states that this information will be included in the Shell Chemical incident report.
127553 2010-11-08	Point Source(s): FLARE: DHT Unit; SHELL OL-5 Flare (EPN 6-84) Pollutant(s): Nitrogen Oxide - 25 pounds Sulfur Dioxide - 856 pounds Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 7 pounds Carbon Monoxide - 137 pounds Particulate Matter - 5 pounds	Cause of Problem: Process Upset Motiva DHT vent gas compressor tripped due to high liquid level in compressor's overhead accumulator (PV-1987). DHT experienced a rapid increase in feed rate DU-5 unit. Shared flaring incident with SHELL CHEMICAL LP.	RQ. Letter includes emissions calculations information. Took immediate corrective actions to return unit to normal feed conditions and restarted DHT vent compressor when flaring stopped. DHT operators were given safety training.
128017 2010-11-07	Point Source(s): No Information Given Pollutant(s): No Information Given - 0	Cause of Problem: No Information Given Air release	No report
127413 2010-11-03	Point Source(s): No Information Given Pollutant(s): No Information Given - 0	Cause of Problem: No Information Given Air release.	No report.
127105 2010-10-15	Point Source(s): gasket of filter pot between tank F-515 and Kenner line Pollutant(s): Gasoline - 0	Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket Turbulence caused by moving gasoline from tank F-515 to the Kenner pipeline, caused the transfer line to hammer leading to a leak in the head gasket of a finished gasoline filter pot.	The filter pot was immediately isolated, and maintenance was called out to make repairs. The leak was contained to the concrete pad underneath the filter pot. Under investigation, final follow up report is promised. No follow-up report included in file. No LDEQ report. Refinery letter only.
126978 2010-10-09	Point Source(s): FLARE - Shell chemical, LP West Operations Elevated Flare Pollutant(s): Butadiene - 0	Cause of Problem: Under Investigation The crude butadiene import drum PV-2170 overfilled while crude butadiene was being imported at the facility's wharf. The flare knock out drum PV-191 filled with crude butadiene resulting in flaring from Shell Chemical West Operations Elevated Flare. FLARE.	Operations immediately stopped the crude butadiene import in order to stop the overfilling of PV-2170, under investigation. Refinery letter dated 10/14/10 states that follow-up letter is forthcoming, but no follow-up is included in file. No LDEQ report. File includes letters from Shell Chemical and Motiva Refinery.
126975 2010-10-08	Point Source(s): No Information Given Pollutant(s): No Information Given - 0	Cause of Problem: No Information Given Air release.	No report.
126371 2010-09-14	Point Source(s): FLARE: RCCU flare (FE-201); Shell GO-1 Flare (EPN 1-90) Pollutant(s): Nitrogen Oxide - 110 pounds Sulfur Dioxide - 24,842 pounds Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 274 pounds Hexane - 103 pounds Particulate Matter - 0	Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure RCCU unit tripped and shut-down. Spend catalyst slide valve was not functioning properly and shut-down occurred during troubleshooting of valve. Shared flaring incident with SHELL CHEMICAL LP [GO-1 Elevated Flare (EPN 1-90)].	Initiated study to review current maintenance program. Slide valve failure was also identified as a site threat and entered into Motiva's threats database to be tracked.
126309 2010-09-12	Point Source(s): FLARE: DU-5 Unit, waste gas compressor (k1883); East UE Flare (EPN 3-84) Pollutant(s): Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ Nitrogen Oxide - BRQ	Cause of Problem: Process Upset incident involved a "process upset at Motiva's DU-5 Unit."release of hydrogen sulfide, Nitrogen Oxide, and Sulfur Dioxide. A waste gas compressor (K1883) tripped releasing the previously stated gases to flare. Shared flaring incident with SHELL CHEMICAL LP.	BRQ. Feed was reduced on DU-5 unit, instrument technician called in. False level reading that cased waste gas compressor to trip was determined to be caused by sediment build-up; sediment sampled to identify composition and cause.
126249 2010-09-09	Point Source(s): Butadiene Cool Down Line [wharf] Pollutant(s): 1,3-Butadiene - 21 pounds	Cause of Problem: Corrosion Report states that "at 1418 on September 9, 2010, Operations noticed an ice ball on an insulated finished butadiene cool down line. This line transports butadiene to the wharf. Once identified, the line was isolated and then de-pressured to the flare system. The cause of the leak was determined to be due to corrosion under the insulation."	RQ. Report states that, "On September 10, 2010, a skinner clamp was installed to temporarily stop the leak...clamp was replaced with an engineered box on September 12, 2010. This section of piping will be replaced during the next scheduled BD-5 unit turnaround. The facility failed to have control facilities in place to prevent the release. This is an area of concern with LAC 33:III.905. Control facilities to be installed when feasible."
126039 2010-08-31	Point Source(s): alky unit's tank L-431 Pollutant(s): Sulfuric Acid - BRQ	Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure Alky unit's fresh sulfuric acid tank L-431 was leaking from a one inch flange on the north side.	BRQ. Refinery letter states that "final calculations confirm that no reportable quantities were exceeded." The fresh and spent acid tanks were equalized to reduce the pressure in the fresh acid tank L-431 to slow the leak rate. Bolts on the leaking flange was replaced, however that did not stop the leak. Therefore, a sealant material was pumped into the nozzle of the leaking flange and was wire wrapped in order to provide a permanent seal. No LDEQ report. Refinery letter only.
125993 2010-08-29	Point Source(s): Outfall 006 (WWTP) Pollutant(s): Stormwater - BRQ	Cause of Problem: Weather Report states that there was "unusually heavy rainfall which exceeded the capacity of the facility WWTP requiring discharge through the LA0003522 permitted Outfall 006 for storm water." Testing was performed throughout the release and no discharge parameters were exceeded.	No information given.
125580 2010-08-10	Point Source(s): UTLX 950070 Pollutant(s): 1,3-Butadiene - 49 pounds	Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket The root cause of the release was faulty rail car equipment (rail car UTLX 950070). The gasket on the seat of the relief valve had deteriorated, resulting in a leak. 1,3 Butadiene was released.	Firewater was applied to the leaking car to suppress the vapors. The area surrounding the rail car was sampled for 1,3butadiene and hot zone was established. 5h llm after leak, The gasket on the seat of the relief valve was replaced reducing the leak by 99%. 11h and 49m later it was tightened stopping the leak. To confirm there was no more leaks, rail car UTLX 950070 was soap tested. The material was transferred out of the leaking rail car and off site. Measures were take with the rail scheduler to minimize the time that rail cars will sit on site without being shipped. No LDEQ report. Refinery letter only.
125564 2010-08-10	Point Source(s): DU-5 Naptha Stripper Reboiler [E-1004] Pollutant(s): Benzene - 3 pounds Cyclohexane - 15 pounds Cyclopentane - 2 pounds Isobutane - 1 pounds Isobutane - 0 pounds Isopentane - 9 pounds Toluene - 22 pounds n-Hexane - 15 pounds n-Pentane - 10 pounds 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane - 1 pounds 2,3,3-Trimethylpentane - 7 pounds 2,3,4-Trimethylpentane - 1 pounds 2,3-Dimethylhexane - 20 pounds 2,3-Dimethylpentane - 3 pounds 2,4-Dimethylhexane - 3 pounds 2,4-Dimethylpentane - 1 pounds 2,5-Dimethylhexane - 6 pounds	Cause of Problem: Corrosion A leak in the weld of a pipping elbow of the DU-5 Naptha Stripper Reboiler caused by internal corrosion on the reboiler.	RQ. Reportable quantities were exceeded for 8 chemicals including Ethane, Methane, Toulene, and n-Hexane. Refinery report states that "immediately following discovery of the leak, the site's emergency response team was activated and the naphtha stripper was blocked in and depressurized."
125532 2010-08-09	Point Source(s): FLARE: HCU elevated flare (EPN 4-84) Pollutant(s): Benzene - 0 pounds Nitrogen Oxide - BRQ Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ Toluene - BRQ Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - BRQ	Cause of Problem: Human Factors The HCU elevated flare (EPN 4-84) released Benzene, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, toluene, and VOC due to a faulty regulator and an orifice tee which was incorrectly installed by the manufacturer and also a faulty nitrogen regulator supplying the system. SECONDARY CAUSE: noted as equipment failure. FLARE.	RQ. Refinery later states that reportable quantities were exceeded for benzene. Both the relief valve and the nitrogen regulator were removed from service and repaired. When repaired, they were reinstalled and returned to service.
125465 2010-08-05	Point Source(s): FLARE: HCU relief valve(RV-1191); flow control valve (FC-0735); HCU Flare (4-84) Pollutant(s): Propane - BRQ Propylene - BRQ	Cause of Problem: Process Upset LDEQ report states that a release of propylene and propane due to an upset in the hydrocracker unit. The facility reported that a relief valve relieved to flare for approximately one minute.	BRQ. HCU relief valve was repaired and put back in service. No reportable quantities were exceeded as a result of this release.
125510 2010-07-28	Point Source(s): truck-mounted fire monitor Pollutant(s): Firewater - 1,000 gallons	Cause of Problem: Human Factors Firewater discharged over northern property boundary during emergency response training, bypassing wastewater treatment system. Stream was not aimed properly.	Stream adjusted so that it would flow into wastewater treatment system.
124892 2010-07-16	Point Source(s): FLARE: Hydrocracker Unit - relief valve Pollutant(s): Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ Benzene - BRQ Toluene - BRQ Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - BRQ	Cause of Problem: Equipment Design Report states that a relief valve on the hydrocracker unit failed causing the release. Valve was found to be improperly assembled by the manufacturer...	BRQ. Report states that "the valve was repaired on site by Motiva technicians and put back in service. No reportable quantities were exceeded as a result of this release."
124421 2010-06-23	Point Source(s): DU-5 Furnace (F-35) Pollutant(s): Hydrocarbon - 0 pounds	Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure SECONDARY CAUSE: PIPING AND TUBING. DU-5 Unit furnace (F-35) was found smoking, releasing unburned hydrocarbons. Initial investigation revealed a tube leak, but follow-up investigation determined that tube leak was a result of "short-term overheating" in the furnace.	Bottom shock tubes and thermocouples were replaced before restarting furnace. No information given regarding amount of hydrocarbons released in follow-up letter.
124245 2010-06-16	Point Source(s): FLARE: DHT Unit; OL-5 Flare (FE-101) Pollutant(s): Sulfur Dioxide - 92 pounds Carbon Monoxide - 9 pounds Nitrogen Oxide - 2 pounds Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 3 Particulate Matter - 0 pounds	Cause of Problem: Weather Power outage from inclement weather caused a compressor on Motiva's Diesel Hydrotreater Unit (DHT) to trip releasing sulfur dioxide from the OL-5 Flare at Shell Chemical. Shared flaring incident with SHELL CHEMICAL LP.	BRQ. Report states that incident was BRQ but permit limit for SO2 was exceeded. Entergy was called to make repairs and "operations took corrective actions to safely return unit to normal conditions and minimize flaring."
124186 2010-06-15	Point Source(s): Wharf Berth 1: high sulfur light product line Pollutant(s): Benzene - 59 pounds Xylene - 162 pounds Naptha (Crude) - 280 gallons Hexane - 115 pounds Ethylbenzene - 28 pounds m-Xylene - 162 pounds Toluene - 95 pounds 2,3,3-Trimethylpentane - 87 pounds 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene - 49 pounds Styrene - 9 pounds 1,3-Butadiene - 0 pounds Butane - 39 pounds Cresol - 0 pounds Cumene - 3 pounds Unknown Substance - 1,089 pounds Naphthalene - 11 pounds	Cause of Problem: Corrosion LDEQ report states, "Motiva reported a leaking high sulfur light product line at the wharf that released approximately six barrels of naptha to the Mississippi River. Leak was caused by external corrosion, and two contributing factors were identified. First, the line was found to be in contact with the insulation of adjacent piping, causing water accumulation between the lines. Additionally, inadequate coating was discovered on the blistered section of piping." A total of 1,748 pounds of chemicals were released to the air.	RQ. LDEQ report states that "Motiva took the following measures to prevent reoccurrence of this incident: the blistered section of piping will be replaced so it does not contact near-by equipment and the new line will be adequately coated to protect from external corrosion. Motiva has determined that the release was preventable. This incident is an area of concern with regards to LAC 33:III.905 and LAC 33:IX.501.D."
124178 2010-06-14	Point Source(s): Pollutant(s): None - 0	Cause of Problem: No Information Given Notification of a possible relief valve release on process vessel PV-914. However, final investigation of this event confirms that the RV on PV-914 did not relieve to atmosphere during the time period listed above. So there was no actual release.	No actual release, precautionary incident report only.
124129 2010-06-11	Point Source(s): FLARE: DU-5 Unit Waste gas compessor (K-1883); Shell East Flare Pollutant(s): Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ Nitrogen Oxide - BRQ Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ	Cause of Problem: No Information Given Air release. Process upset on vacuum flasher [DU-5 Unit] caused waste gas compressor K-1883 to trip offline. LDEQ report states that cause of release is unknown at this time. Shared flaring incident with SHELL CHEMICAL LP.	BRQ. Reduced feed and troubleshooted issues related to loss of vacuum. Air monitoring was conducted and "all parameters were non-detectable."
123327 2010-05-08	Point Source(s): FLARE: HCU elevated Flare (EPN-4-84) Pollutant(s): Benzene - BRQ Cyclohexane - BRQ Ethylbenzene - BRQ Hexane - BRQ Hydro-treated hydrocarbon - BRQ Naphthalene - BRQ Toluene - BRQ Xylene - 0	Cause of Problem: Process Upset "Motiva CR-2 recycle gas compressor (K-2057) tripped due to an expected high level in the CR-2 product separator vessel, which subsequently tripped the CR-2 process unit. A sudden increase in the level in the CR-2 product separator occurred while Motiva operators were placing exchangers (E-1243/44/45) back in service." This subsequently caused the HCU elevated Flare (EPN-4-84) to release naphtha-cyclohexane, ethylbenzene, napthalene,hydrotreated heavy naphtha, hexane, toluene, xylene. FLARE.	BRQ. The refinery letter states that no reportable quantities were exceeded during this incident.
123043 2010-04-25	Point Source(s): FLARE - HCU elevated flare Pollutant(s): Xylene - BRQ Toluene - BRQ Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ Nitrogen Oxide - BRQ Naphthalene - BRQ Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ Ethylene - BRQ Benzene - BRQ Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - BRQ	Cause of Problem: Corrosion FLARE. FIRE. Power failure caused rapid shutdown of Hydrocracking Unit due to a valve failure. Moisture had accumulated causing corrosion on the wiring and connections. During troubleshooting, hydroprocessing exchanger E-1057 bottom head caught fire. Fire extinguished with water, no injuries.	BRQ. No RQs exceeded but did exceed max lb per hour permit limit for SO2. Process unit restarted and conditions returned to normal. Wiring, connector block, and seal repaired to prevent moisture from causing further corrosion.
122694 2010-04-11	Point Source(s): FLARE Pollutant(s): No Information Given - BRQ	Cause of Problem: No Information Given LDEQ report states "water in crude system...had to flare off." FLARE.	No Information Given. LDEQ report states that "preliminary calculations indicate that no reportable quantities were exceeded during this event." LDEQ report only. No refinery letter.
122119 2010-03-13	Point Source(s): HCU absorber surge drum PV-829 HCU oil absorber surge drum PV-829 Pollutant(s): Benzene - BRQ Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ Propane - BRQ	Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing Operator on rounds discovered stain on nozzle bottle of vessel of hydrocracking unit. Plug missing, visible vapors, and there is a quarter inch hole leaking.	BRQ. Refinery letter states that "final calculations confirm that no reportable quantities were exceeded." Steam lanced the leak initially, then got advice from piping inspectors for leak repair. Repaired with nipple and isolation valve with cap.
121839 2010-03-02	Point Source(s): FLARE: RCCU Flare Pollutant(s): Ethylene - 1,417 pounds Propylene - 10,351 pounds 1,3-Butadiene - 78 pounds Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 42,528 pounds Flammable Gas - 33,873 pounds Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds (HRVOCs) - 11,769 pounds	Cause of Problem: Other - See text Refinery letter states that "the main air blower for Motiva's RCCU unit tripped unexpectedly which..resulted in an emergency shut down of the RCCU and RGHT units." Upon start up of RCCU, it is suspected the RCCU flare pilot was unlit causing release to air of Ethylene, Propylene, 1,3=Butadiene, VOC, Flammable Gas, HRVOC. HEAVY FLARING ALSO OCCURRED AT SHELL CHEMICAL LP but will be included in a separate report (GO-1 flare). Follow-up report states that "Motiva WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE ULTIMATE CAUSE of the loss of the pilot flame, but that gas pressure being set above the design pressure or severe weather conditions may have contributed to the loss of pilot flame. FLARE.	RQ. Reportable quantities were exceeded during this incident. "All released materials were dispersed naturally in the atmosphere from the RCCU flare stack." Release was stopped by the re-lighting of the flare. Also flare pilot flame-out alarm was placed back into service and refresher training provided to all operations personnel on the importance of maintaining flare pilot flames. LDEQ report states that according to "LDEQ Enforcement Division, this incident is being included in an Enforcement Action being drafted by the LDEQ Enforcement Division."
121815 2010-03-01	Point Source(s): FLARE - Shell's GO-1 Elevated Flare (EPN 1-90) Pollutant(s): Sulfur Dioxide - 35,210 pounds Carbon Dioxide - 5,846 pounds Nitrogen Oxide - 1,074 pounds Particulate Matter - 202 pounds Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 1,582 pounds 1,3-Butadiene - BRQ Benzene - BRQ Hexane - 147 pounds	Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure LDEQ report states, "cat cracker tripped due to main air blower problems." Refinery letter states there was an unexpected shutdown of Motiva's RCCU Process Unit; had to flare dry gas being fed to Shell's GO-1 Process Unity to meet specifications to prevent further contamination to GO-1 and need for additional flaring. FLARE.	RQ. Reportable quantities exceeded. File includes letters from both Motiva and Shell Chemical. Motiva letter dated 3/8/2010 references submitting a follow-up within 60 day and Shell letter references "a separate letter from Motiva dated 4/28/10," but follow-up letter from Motiva is not included in file.
121572 2010-02-17	Point Source(s): FLARE - HCU Elevated Flare [EPN4-84], Relief Valve [RV1178 & RV1204] Pollutant(s): 1,3-Butadiene - BRQ Benzene - BRQ Butylene - BRQ Flammable Gas - BRQ Hexane - BRQ Propylene - BRQ Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - BRQ Nitric Oxide - BRQ	Cause of Problem: Process Upset Loss of electrical breaker powering most of the large motors in the hydrocracking unit caused two columns to "release to atmosphere;" RV-1178 on the Rectified Absorber Column for 30secs, RV-1204 on the Caustic Water Wash column "momentarily." FLARE.	BRQ. Refinery Follow-up Letter states "final calculations confirm that no reportable quantities were exceeded as a result of this release." Breaker loss discovered & repaired, operations returned to normal.
121499 2010-02-12	Point Source(s): Stormwater Outfall 006 Pollutant(s): Oil (Sheen) - BRQ	Cause of Problem: Weather HEAVY RAINS. Caused Refinery Stormwater Impoundment Basin (SWIB) to exceed capacity, forcing a bypass "to prevent flooding of the refinery and damage to the SWIB from overtopping of the SWIB levee." Caused oil sheen upstream of St. Charles Parish's Bayou Trepagnier Pump Station. Refinery letter states that less than 1 gallon of oil was released. SECONDARY CAUSE: Equipment Design - impoundment basin capacity was insufficient for heavy rainfall.	BRQ. Refinery letter states that no reportable quantities were exceeded, but incident was an "unauthorized discharge." Material removed from vicinity of parish pumping station via absorbent pads; will install additional absorbent booms in the outfall and increase surveillance of the outfall during future discharges.
121003 2010-01-22	Point Source(s): DU5 Unit Pollutant(s): Oil - 42 gallons Carbon Monoxide - 8,193 pounds Particulate Matter - 7,832 pounds Nitrogen Oxide - 121 pounds Sulfur Dioxide - 241 pounds Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 936 pounds Benzene - 5 pounds	Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures LDEQ field report states that incident involved a fire and heavy gas oil leak in the DU5 Unit. Resulted in shut down of DU5, SATS, and DIH units. FIRE. LDEQ report states that "facility failed to perform operating procedures to prevent or reduce air pollution as required by LAC 33:III:905 A.	RQ. Reportable quantity for particulate matter and CO were exceeded. LDEQ field report states that according to facility personnel perimeter air monitoring at time of fire was conducted and indicated no off-site impact. As of 1/23/10 approximately 12,000 gallons of skimmed material [oil & water] had been collected. FOLLOW-UP: Resulted in emergency condition. Fire was extinguished. Vacuum trucks and boom deployed to contain spill and firefighting fluid. Soil excavated and transported to landfill.
120890 2010-01-19	Point Source(s): DU-5 Unit; Valve on tank A-417 Pollutant(s): Crude Oil - 101 gallons	Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure Valve on crude oil tank A-417 did not completely open during DU-5 unit startup; crude line overpressured, leaked in several locations. One gal leaked to Mississippi River, 5 gal leaked to soil in A-416 tank dike, and 94.5 gal leaked to concrete slabs in the DU-5 operating unit and the Logistics area. OFFSITE IMPACT: Mississippi River.	BRQ. Refinery Follow-up Letter states that no reportable quantities were exceeded during this incident. Oil in river and concrete slab in logistics area recovered with absorbent pads and booms & disposed of as industrial waste; crude on concrete slab in DU-5 washed down and routed to the oil and water separator; soil impacted excavated and disposed of at the on-site landfill; faulty valve will be repaired; operator training improved.
120661 2010-01-11	Point Source(s): Sewage Line Pollutant(s): Sewage - BRQ	Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures While flushing a sewer line with utility water for freeze precaution, a bleed off valve leaked sewerage to the river. Approximately 1 quart of sewerage entered the river. OFFSITE IMPACT.	No information given.
120662 2010-01-11	Point Source(s): Bleeder Valve Pollutant(s): No Information Given - BRQ	Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure LDEQ report states that "A bleed valve was leaking utility water with a trace of caustic to the Mississippi River." OFFSITE IMPACT.	BRQ. The bleed valve was replaced. Same as LDEQ Incident #120671. LDEQ report only. No refinery letter.
120618 2010-01-08	Point Source(s): Berth 4 [sewer sump]; Outfall 002 Pollutant(s): Sanitary Sewage - BRQ	Cause of Problem: Weather COLD WEATHER. Sewer sump on Berth 4 overflowed, spilled approximately 5 gal of sewage/potable water into the Mississippi through LPDES Outfall 002 due to freezing conditions that froze discharge pipe downstream.	BRQ. Refinery letter states that "final calculations confirm that no reportable quantities were exceeded." Piping not damaged, blockage thawed naturally.

Louisiana Refinery Accident Database

Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco

Releases in 2010