ExxonMobil Reports Flaring at Baytown Olefins Plant


   
   HOUSTON, TX (DTN) -- ExxonMobil reported a nearly four-hour emissions event 
at the olefins plant at its 588,000 bpd Baytown refinery, releasing 14 air 
contaminants through three flare systems, according to a filing with the Texas 
Commission on Environmental Quality.

   The incident began at 1:07 a.m. and ended at 4:59 a.m., according to an 
initial report filed on Thursday (7/23). The company attributed the incident to 
a temperature control malfunction in the facility's Demethanizer Tower (MT01), 
which triggered the safe utilization of the plant's flare system.

   Emissions were released through three points: the BOP-X Flare, the Primary 
Flare, and the Secondary Flare, located in the Base BOP Cold Ends process area.

   The largest quantities released were ethylene -- totaling nearly 1,573 
pounds across all three flares -- followed by carbon monoxide at roughly 2,123 
pounds and nitrogen oxides at approximately 367 pounds combined. Benzene 
releases totaled about 64.76 pounds facility-wide. A portion of the emissions 
exceeded permit authorization levels.

   ExxonMobil stated that operational adjustments were made to stabilize 
operations and that fenceline monitoring indicated no adverse environmental 
impact to the surrounding community. The company added it expects minimal 
production impact and anticipates meeting contractual commitments. The incident 
remains listed as open.

    




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