| Home | Search | Emissions | Pollutants | About the Database |
Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco
LDEQ Accident Report
| Accident # | 157955 |
| State Police # | 14-03484 |
| Accident Date | 2014-08-08 |
| Report Date | 2014-08-14 |
| Follow-up Date | 2014-10-02 |
| Follow-up: | Yes |
Pollutants Released
| Pollutant | Duration | Point Source | Greenhouse Gas | Criteria Pollutant | Ozone forming chemical | Amount of Release |
| Benzene | 6m | Hydrocracking Unit | NO | NO | YES | 0.0 pounds |
| Hexane | 6m | Hydrocracking Unit | NO | NO | NO | 0.5 pounds |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | 6m | Hydrocracking Unit | NO | NO | YES | 238.3 pounds |
| Sulfur Dioxide | 6m | Hydrocracking Unit | NO | YES | NO | 196.5 pounds |
| Particulate Matter | 6m | Hydrocracking Unit | NO | YES | NO | 4.5 pounds |
| NOx | 6m | Hydrocracking Unit | NO | NO | YES | 23.8 pounds |
| Carbon Monoxide | 6m | Hydrocracking Unit | NO | YES | NO | 129.4 pounds |
Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)
Cause of Problem: Human Factors
On August 8, 2014 Motiva's Hydrocracking Unit (HCU) flared process gas at the HCU elevated flare (FE-301) due to a unit upset. Contractors working in the area inadvertently opened a valve to supply instrument air to their project, but reduced necessary air supply to HCU resulting in loss of instrument air to various pressure relief valved (PRVs). These PRVs, designed to fail in the open position, released process gas to the flare due to loss of instrument air as a safety mechanism causing the unit upset at the HCU.
Discharge Preventable - No Information Given
Notes/Remedial Actions
Report was submitted by Motiva Enterprises, however the AI number provided was for Shell Chemical Plant-East Side. Motiva and Shell Chemical are located on the same lot and share many processes.
Connect With Us: