LA Bucket Brigade : Refinery Accident Database

About the Database

Shell Facility (3462), St. Rose

Releases in 2005

LDEQ Accident Number Accident Date	Point Source/Release	Cause	Notes
84593 2005-12-15	Point Source(s): 5-77 (St. Rose Flare) Pollutant(s): Benzene - BRQ Flammable Gas - 1,048 pounds Hexane - BRQ Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ Volatile Organic Compounds - 5,048 pounds	Cause of Problem: Weather A failure of the pilot gas regulator caused the pilot fuel gas pressure to drop below normal. Inclement weather (high winds) then caused to flare pilot to blow out. Reported weather conditions at the time were cloudy with 17mph winds	The equipment failure was unexpected and thus the discharge was not preventable. Actions were taken to override the regulator and restore the gas flow to the pilot and hence relight the flare pilot. During this time gas flow to the flare was minimized The flare pilot regulator that failed was replaced with a formal investigation to follow to see if further corrective actions are necessary. NOTE: Quantity of material released was calculated using a formula that conservatively assumes the flare is emitting at its average rate just prior to and during the event.
82431 2005-09-25	Point Source(s): Tanks TK-8552 & TK -8553 Pollutant(s): Oil - 210 gallons	Cause of Problem: Weather Heavy rainfall from Hurricane Rita caused external floating roof of a tank to allow oil to overflow and be released from a tank drain valve into an earthen dike. Caused by an unexpected failure of a level control valve.	All information was taken from the 09/26/2005 DEQ Verbal Report. There was a preliminary written follow-up report on 09/29/2005 of a release of oil to land with no additional information. Data gathering, incident investigation & clean-up still ongoing with a final report to be issued after that is complete.
81957a 2005-08-29	Point Source(s): No Information Given Bypass Outfall 006 Cooling tower unit flare BOGS CWT GO-1 Elevated Flare/ OL 5 Elevated Flare HCU Flare Temporary Equipment - frac tanks, small internal combustion engines Tank F 444 Tank F 466 Tank 463 Pollutant(s): Hydrocarbon - 0 pounds Hydrocarbon - 0 pounds No Information Given - 0 pounds No Information Given - 0 pounds No Information Given - 0 pounds No Information Given - 0 pounds No Information Given - 0 pounds Oil - 0 pounds Oil - 0 pounds Oil - 0 pounds	Cause of Problem: Weather Cooling tower unit is starting up much more slowly than usual due to extensie damage. Significant damage to all shrounds, fan, packing and sides. Normal unit startup falring may be extended over a longer time	This report follows the shut down due to Hurricane Katrina. They are just providing regular updates with a final follow-up report to follow after start-up activities are completed. Shell asserts this events meets the qualifications for an Upset Provision
81720, 81957, 83713 2005-08-28	Point Source(s): 7-84 (OL-5 Ground Falre, FG-101); 6-84 (OL-5 Elevated Flare, FE-101); 1-90 (GO-1 Elevated Flare, FE602); 3-84 (Utilities East Flare, FE 501) Pollutant(s): 1,3-Butadiene - 29,849 pounds Benzene - 16,219 pounds Carbon Monoxide - 56,850 pounds Ethylbenzene - 49 pounds Ethylene - 262 pounds Hexane - 2,492 pounds Naphthalene - 5,183 pounds Nitrogen Oxide - 69,648 pounds Oil - 4,452 gallons Particulate Matter - 14,857 pounds Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - 367 pounds Styrene - 126 pounds Sulfur Dioxide - 90,046 pounds Toluene - 1,568 pounds Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 525,566 pounds Xylene - 168 pounds	Cause of Problem: Weather Due to shutdown and damages associated with Hurricane Katrina	The most significnt point source emissions were from the Elevated flare. The report does not include emissions from tanks, HCU Flare, Emergency Bypass Outfall and other equipment that was previously reported.