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Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #78747
State Police #05-02910
Accident Date2005-05-03
Report Date 2005-05-05
Follow-up Date 2005-06-16
Follow-up: Yes

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Sulfur Dioxide239 h 35 mHydrocracker, Coker, CR-1 and NHT unitsNOYESNO296.2 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)239 h 35 mHydrocracker, Coker, CR-1 and NHT unitsNONOYES1,303.7 pounds

Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)

Cause of Problem: Human Factors

The Coker, Hydrocrack, and CR-1 process units unexpectedly shut down due to a loss of 100# instrument air. The instrument air block valve on the line supplying the Coker, Hydrocracker, and CR-1 was mistakenly closed. An operator was instructed to close the 2" soft water valve for maintenance and operator mistakenly identified the 2" 100# instrument air valve as the 2" soft water valve.

Discharge Preventable - No

The instrument air system is owned and operated by ShellChemical LP -- Norco Chemical Plant -- East Site personnel; Motiva has no operation control over the instrument air system.

Notes/Remedial Actions

Remedial actions involved shutting down the affected operating units; found that Sulfur Dioxide levels were exceeded from the HCU flare and Volatile Organic Compounds exceeded at the Coker Flare.