ExxonMobil Baytown Refinery Reports Unplanned Emissions


   
   HOUSTON, TX (DTN) -- ExxonMobil reported an unplanned flaring event at its 
Flexicoker unit at its 588,000 bpd Baytown refinery, the third-largest in the 
United States, according to an initial report with the Texas Commission on 
Environmental Quality.

   The event was discovered at 6:16 p.m. CT on Tuesday (8/11) and lasted 
approximately 5 hours and 43 minutes, ending just before midnight, the filing 
stated.

   "An unanticipated equipment shutdown resulted in an unplanned unit upset and 
safe utilization of the flare system," ExxonMobil said.

   Gases were routed to six flare stacks -- Flare 4, 6, 11, 15, 17, and 25 -- 
after the Flexicoker Compressor (C-303) experienced an unplanned unit upset, 
triggering safe utilization of the facility's flare system.

   The largest single-contaminant release was sulfur dioxide from Flare Stack 
25, estimated at 19,535 pounds. Combined sulfur dioxide emissions across all 
six flares totaled approximately 20,380 pounds. Carbon monoxide emissions 
exceeded 2,040 pounds combined, while hydrogen sulfide released totaled roughly 
323 pounds. The carcinogen 1,3-butadiene was also detected across all six flare 
points.

   ExxonMobil stated operators made timely adjustments to stabilize operations 
and that available information indicates no adverse environmental impact to the 
site or surrounding community. The company said there is minimal impact to 
production and that it expects to meet contractual commitments.




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