CITGO Petroleum Corporation-Refinery - Executive Summary

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2964 LADEQ  Facility ID Number 
 
 
1.0     Executive Summary 
 
    The CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery, has a long standing commitment to worker and public safety. This commitment is demonstrated by the resources invested in accident prevention, such as the training of personnel, investing in   "state of the art" process management systems and the application of inherently safer designs in the installation, operations and maintenance of our processes.  Our policy is to implement reasonable controls to prevent foreseeable releases of regulated substances.  However, if a release does occur, our fully equipped and trained personnel will respond to control and contain the release.  
 
 
2.0    Description of the Stationary Source and Regulated Substances 
 
    
The CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery, located in Lake Charles Louisiana, USA, operates a variety of processes to produce petroleum products such as propane, butane, and co 
ndensate, from raw crude oil.  The refinery has several regulated flammables, such as methane, ethane, propane, pentane, hydrogen and butane.   
 
 
3.0      Hazard Assessment Results 
 
   The CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery has two separate toxic worse case scenarios determined from regulated substance in Program 3 processes.  The first worse case scenario is ammonia, resulting in a release from a 40,000 lb drum when filled to the greatest amount allowed results in a toxic cloud  release which reach an offsite endpoint and, since the facility is located in a populated area, also reaches public receptors.  The second worse case scenario is chlorine resulting in a release from a 2000 lb vessel when filled to the greatest amount results in a toxic cloud release which reach an offsite endpoint and, since the facility is located in a populated area, also reaches public receptors.  Although CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refiner 
y has numerous controls to prevent such release and to manage their consequences, no passive mitigation measures was taken into account in evaluating this scenario.   
 
The two alternative toxic case scenarios determined from program 3 processes are ammonia and chlorine.  The ammonia alternate case scenario is modeled after pipe leak resulting in a toxic cloud release of 7,400 lbs of ammonia from a vessel that reach an offsite endpoint and since the facility is located in a populated area, also reaches public receptors.  The chlorine alternate case scenario is modeled on the basis of a pipe leak resulting in a release of 250 lbs of chlorine that reach an offsite endpoint and since the facility is located in a populated area, also reaches public receptors.  These scenarios are based on the use of the administrative and engineered controls, active mitigation of the leak, and the response of the appropriate emergency personnel / equipment to the alternate case scenario scenes. 
 
   The worse  
case scenario associated with a release of flammable substances at the refinery are vapor cloud explosions involving a spheroid containing 4,550,000 lbs of propylene which reach offsite endpoint and since the facility is located in a populated area, also reaches public receptors; second is a release of 3,400,000 lbs Iso Butane from a  storage vessel which reaches an offsite endpoint and since the facility is located in a populated area, also reaches public receptors.  No administrative controls are in place per the appropriate part or rule to limit the storage inventory in the vessel/spheroid; therefore the full tank inventories of each regulated substances is assumed released, completely vaporize, and ignite resulting in a vapor cloud explosion.  Although CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery has numerous controls to prevent such releases and to manage their consequences, no credit for passive mitigation measures was taken into account in evaluating t 
hese worse case scenario. 
 
   The alternate case scenario for flammable substances at the CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery is a vapor cloud fire resulting from the release of propylene from a pipe leak.  A release of 19,000 pounds reach an offsite endpoint and since the facility is located in a populated area, also reaches public receptors. These scenarios are based on the use of the administrative and engineered controls, active mitigation of the leak, and the response of the appropriate emergency personnel / equipment to the alternate case scenario scenes. 
 
Both toxic release scenarios, and the flammable scenario are selected as being practical scenarios for use in emergency planning and response 
 
   Under the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Title, the application of a "General Duty Clause" is included within the enforcement of the EPA  "Accidental Release Prevention" program.  The CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing 
Complex Refinery explored all other regulated substances as required by the part or rule.  There are amounts of Hydrogen Sulfide, Sulfur Dioxide, and Sulfur Trioxide which are present within the processes, however are below the threshold quantity requirements.  The same process vigilance and response capabilities are ready to mitigate any release of these substances within or outside the limits of our refinery.   
 
4.0     Five Year Accident History 
 
The CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery has an excellent record of accident prevention over the past 5 years; the frequency being consistently low with efforts to reduce or eliminate all accidental releases from the stationary source.  The CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery has had very few excursions of toxic or flammable releases of regulated substances and have not issued a shelter in place within the past 5 years.  The refinery investigates every incident very carefu 
lly to determine ways to prevent similar incidents from occurring 
 
   From June 21, 1994 to June 21, 1999, CITGO Petroleum Corporation's Lake Charles Refinery has on record 5 accidents involving RMP covered processes and meeting the criteria set forth in the EPA regulation.  Those incidents resulted in a total of 2 onsite injuries, fire , and damage to equipment in excess of 1.5 million dollars 
 
5.0    General Accidental Release Prevention Program Steps 
 
 
   The following is a summary of the general accident prevention program in place at the CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery.  Because processes at the refinery that are regulated by the EPA RMP regulation are also subject to the OSHA PSM standard, this summary addresses each of the OSHA PSM elements and describes the management system in place to implement the accident prevention program 
 
 
 
 
Employee Participation 
 
   The CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex's Refinery encourages e 
mployees to participate in all facets of process safety management and accident prevention.  Examples of employee participation range from updating and compiling technical documents and chemical information to participating as a member of a process hazard analysis (PHA) team.  Employees have access to all information created as part of the Refinery Accident Prevention Program .  Specific ways that employees can be involved in accident prevention program are documented in an Employee Participation Procedure, HR 384-7 maintained at the refinery and addresses each accident program element.  In addition, the refinery has a number of initiatives under way that address process safety and employee safety issues.  These initiatives include forming teams to promote both process safety and personal safety.  The teams typically have members from various areas of the plant, including operations, maintenance, engineering, and facility management. 
 
 
Process Safety Information  
 
   The CITGO Petroleum  
Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex's Refinery keeps a variety of technical documents that are used to help maintain safe operation of the processes.  These documents address chemical properties and associated hazards, limits for key process parameter, specific chemical inventories, and equipment design basis / configuration information.  Various departments within the refinery are assigned responsibility for maintaining portions of process safety information.  A table summarizing the reference documents and their location is readily available as part of the written employee participation plan to help employees locate any necessary process safety information. 
 
   Chemical specific information including exposure hazards and emergency response / exposure treatment consideration, is provided in Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS's).  This information is supplemented by documents that specifically addresses known corrosion concerns and any known hazards associated with the inadvert 
ent mixing of chemicals.   
 
For specific process areas, the refinery has documented safety-related limits for specific process parameters (e.g. temperature, level, composition) in key process parameter documents.  The refinery ensures that the process is maintained within these limits using process controls and  
monitoring instruments, highly trained personnel, and protective instrument systems (e.g. automated shutdown systems).  
 
   The refinery also maintains numerous technical documents that provides information about the design and construction of process equipment.  This information includes materials of construction, design pressure and temperature ratings, electrical ratings of equipment, etc.  This information, in combination with written procedures and trained personnel provide a basis for establishing inspection and maintenance activities, as well as for evaluating proposed process and facility changes to ensure that safety features in the process are not compromised. 
 
 
Process 
Hazard Analysis 
 
   The CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery has a comprehensive program to help ensure that hazards associated with the various processes are identified and controlled.  Within the program, each process is systematically examined to identify hazards and ensure that adequate controls are in place to manage these hazards. 
 
   The CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery primarily uses the Hazards and Operability (HAZOP) analysis technique to perform these evaluations.  Hazop analysis is recognized as one of the most systematic and thorough hazard evaluation techniques. The analyses are conducted using a team of people who have operating and maintenance experience as well as engineering  expertise.  The team identifies and evaluates hazards of the process as well as accident prevention and mitigation measures, and makes suggestions for additional prevention and/or mitigation measures when the team believes suc 
h measures are necessary. 
 
   The PHA team findings are forwarded to management for resolution.  Implementation of mitigation options in response to a PHA findings is based on a relative risk ranking assigned by the PHA team.  The ranking helps ensure that potential accident  scenarios assigned the highest risk receive immediate attention.  All approved mitigation options being implemented in response to PHA team findings are tracked until they are complete.  The final resolution of each finding is documented and retained. 
 
   To help ensure that the process controls and/or process hazards do not eventually deviate significantly from the original design safety features, the CITGO Petroleum Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery periodically updates and revalidates the hazard analysis results.  These periodic reviews are conducted on 5 years intervals and will be conducted at this frequency until the process is no longer operating.  The results and findings from these updates are docum 
ented and retained.  Once again, the team findings are forwarded to management for consideration and the final resolution of the findings is documented and retained. 
 
Operating Procedures 
 
   The CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex's Refinery maintains written procedures that address various modes of process operation such as (1) initial startup of a new unit, (2) normal operations, (3) temporary operations (4) emergency shutdown, (5) normal shutdown and (6) unit startup.  These procedures can be used as reference by experienced operators and provide a basis for consistent training of new operators.  These procedures are periodically reviewed and annually certified as current and accurate.  The procedures are maintained current by revising them as necessary to reflect changes made through the management of change process 
 
In addition, the CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery maintains a key process parameter document which pro 
vides guidance on how to respond to upper or lower limit exceedances for specific process or equipment parameters.  This information, along with the written operating procedures is readily available to operators in the process unit and for other personnel to use as necessary to safely perform their job tasks.  
 
 
Training 
 
   To complement the written procedures for process operations, CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery has implemented a comprehensive training program for all employees involved in operating a process.  New employees receive basic training in the refinery operations if they are not already familiar with such operations.  After successfully completing this training, a new operator is paired with a senior operator to learn process specific duties and tasks.  After operators demonstrate (e.g. through tests, skill demonstration) having adequate knowledge to perform the duties and tasks in a safe and responsible manner on their own, they can 
work independently.  In addition, all operators periodically receive refresher testing on the operating procedures to ensure that their skills and knowledge are maintained at an acceptable level.   This refresher training is conducted at least every 3 years.  All of this training is documented for each operator, including the means used to verify that the operator understood this training 
 
Contractors 
 
   To complement the written procedures for process operations, CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery utilizes contractors to supplement its work force.  Because some contractors work on or near process equipment, the refinery has procedures in place to ensure that contractors (1) perform their work in a safe manner, (2) Have the appropriate knowledge and skills, (3) are aware of the hazards of their workplace, (4) understand what they should do in the event of an emergency, (5) understand and follow site safety rules, and (6) inform refinery personnel of 
any hazards that they find during their work or may introduce un the course of performing their work.  This is accomplished by providing contractors with (1) a process overview,  (2) information about safety & health hazards, (3) emergency response plan requirements, and (4) safe work practices before beginning their work.  In addition, the CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery evaluates contractor safety programs and performance during the selection of a contractor.  Refinery personnel periodically monitor contractor performance to ensure that contractors are fulfilling their safety obligations. 
 
Pre Startup Review 
 
   The CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery conducts a Pre Startup Safety Review (PSSR) for any new facility or facility modifications that requires a change in the process safety information.  The purpose of the PSSR is to ensure that safety features, procedures, personnel and the equipment are appropriat 
ely prepared for startup prior to placing the equipment into service.  This review provides one additional check to make sure construction is in accordance with the design specifications and that all supporting systems are operationally ready.  The PSSR review team uses checklists to verify all aspects of readiness.  A PSSR involves field verification of the construction and serves a quality assurance function by requiring verification that accident prevention program requirements are properly implemented. 
 
Mechanical Integrity 
 
   The CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery has well established practices and procedures to maintain pressure vessels, piping systems, relief and vent systems, controls, pumps and compressors, and emergency shutdown systems in safe operating condition.  The basic aspects of this program include (1) conducting training, (2) developing written procedures, (3) performing inspections and tests, (4) correcting identified deficiencie 
s, and (5) applying quality control measures.  In combination, these activities from a system that maintains the mechanical integrity of the process equipment. 
 
   Maintenance personnel receive training on (1) an overview of the process, (2) safety and health hazards, (3) applicable maintenance procedures, (4) emergency response plans, and (5) applicable safe work practices to help ensure that they can perform their job task in a safe manner.  Written procedures help ensure that work is performed in a consistent manner and provide a basis for training.  Inspections and tests are performed to help ensure that equipment functions as intended, and to verify that equipment is within acceptable limits (e.g., adequate wall thickness for pressure vessels).  If a deficiency is identified, employees will correct the deficiency before placing the equipment back into service (if possible) or a team and/or department will review the use of the equipment and determine what actions are necessary to en 
sure the safe operation of that equipment. 
 
   Another integral part of the mechanical integrity program is quality assurance.  The CITGO Petroleum Corporation's Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery incorporates quality assurance measures into equipment purchases and repairs.  This helps ensure that new equipment is suitable for its intended use and that proper materials and spare parts are used when repairs are made 
 
Safe Work Practices 
 
   The CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery has long-standing safe work practices in place to help ensure worker and process safety.  Examples of this include (1) - control of the entry/presence/exit of support personnel, (2) - a lockout/tagout procedure to ensure isolation of energy sources for equipment undergoing maintenance, (3) - a procedure for safe removal of hazardous materials before process piping or equipment is opened, (4) - a permit and procedure to control spark producing activities (i.e. hot work),  
and (5) - a permit and procedure to ensure that adequate precautions are in place before entry into a confined space.  These procedures (and others) along with training of affected personnel, form a process to help ensure that operations and maintenance activities are performed safely. 
 
Management Of Change 
 
   The CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex's Refinery has a comprehensive system to manage change to processes.  This system requires that changes to items such as process equipment, chemicals, technology (including process operating conditions), procedures, and other facility changes to be properly reviewed and authorized before being implemented.  Changes are reviewed to (1) ensure that adequate controls are in place to manage any new hazards and (2) verify that existing controls have not been compromised by the change.  Affected chemical hazard information, process operating limits, and equipment information, as well as procedures, are updated to incorpo 
rate these changes.  In addition, operating and maintenance personnel are provided any necessary training on the change. 
 
Incident Investigation 
 
   The CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex's Refinery promptly investigates all incidents that resulted in or reasonably could have resulted in, a fire/explosion, toxic gas release, major property damage, environmental loss or personal injury.  The goal of each investigation is to determine the facts and develop corrective actions to prevent a recurrence of the incidents or a similar incident.  The investigation team documents its findings, develops recommendations to prevent a recurrence, and forwards these results to the refinery management for resolution.  Corrective actions taken in response to the investigation team's findings and recommendations are tracked until they are complete.  The final resolution of each finding or recommendation is documented, and the investigation results are reviewed with all employees 
(including contractors) who could be affected by the findings.  Incident investigation reports are retained for at least 5 years so that the reports can be reviewed during future PHA's and PHA revalidations 
 
Compliance Audits 
 
   To help ensure that the PSM/Accident Prevention Program part or rule is functioning  properly, the CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery in conjunction with the CITGO Petroleum Corporation Corporate Safety Group periodically conducts an audit to determine whether the procedure and practices required by the applicable PSM / Accident Prevention part or rule are being implemented.  Compliance audits are conducted at lease every 3 years.  The audit team can consist of a broad base of management and or hourly personnel from the refinery or from other operating units of CITGO Petroleum Corporation and/or contract third parties.  The audit team develops findings that are forwarded to refinery management for resolution.  Corrective act 
ions taken in response to the audit team's findings are tracked until complete.  The final resolution of each finding is documented, and the two most recent audit reports are retained. 
 
6.0     Chemical Specific Prevention Steps 
 
   The processes at the CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery have hazards that must be managed to ensure continued safe operation.  The accident prevention program summarized previously is applied to all of the Program 3 processes EPA RMP-covered processes at the CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery.  Collectively, these prevention program activities help prevent potential accident scenarios that could be caused by (1) equipment failure and (2) human error. 
 
   In addition to the accident prevention program activities, the CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery has safety features on many of its units to help (1) contain / control a release, (2) quickly detect a rel 
ease and  (3) reduce the consequences of (mitigate) a release.  The following types of safety features are used in various processes. 
 
Release Detection 
 
7 Hydrocarbon Sensors 
7 Hydrogen Sulfide Sensors 
7 Heat Detection heads and sensors 
 
 
Release Containment / Control 
 
7 Process relief valves that discharge to a flare to capture and incinerate episodic releases  
7 Valves to permit the isolation of the processes (manual and automatic) 
7 Automated shutdowns for specific process parameters (e.g. high temperature, high level etc..) 
7 Curbing or diking to contain liquid releases 
7 Redundant equipment and instrumentation (e.g. uninterruptible power supply for process controllers, backup firewater systems. 
7 Atmospheric relief devices 
 
Release Mitigation 
 
7 Fire Suppression and Extinguishing Systems 
7 Deluge system for specific equipment 
7 Trained emergency response Personnel 
7 Personal Protective Equipment 
    
 
8.0    Emergency Response Program Information 
 
   The CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake 
Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery maintains a written emergency response program, which is in place to protect public safety, worker safety and the environment.  The program consists of procedures for responding to a release of a regulated substance, including the possibility of a fire or explosion if a flammable substance is accidentally released.  The procedures address all aspects of emergency reponse, including proper first aid and medical treatment for exposures, evacuation plans and accounting for personnel after an evacuation, notification of local emergency response agencies and the public if a release occurs, and post incident cleanup and decontamination requirements.  In addition, the CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery has procedures that address maintenance, inspection and testing of emergency response equipment, as well as instructions that address the use of emergency response equipment.  Employees receive training in these proced 
ures as necessary to perform their specific emergency response duties.   
 
   The overall emergency response program for the CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery is coordinated with the Calcasieu Parish, LA  Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).  The CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery has around-the-clock communication capability with appropriate LEPC officials and emergency response organizations (e.g., fire departments).  This provides a means of notifying the public of an incident, if necessary, as well as facilitating quick response to an incident.  In addition to periodic LEPC meetings, the CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery conducts periodic emergency drills that involve the LEPC and emergency response organizations.    
 
 
7.0    Planned Changes to Improve Safety 
 
 
The CITGO Petroleum Corporation Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Refinery resolves all findings from PHA's, s 
ome of which result in modification to the process.  The following types of changes are planned. 
 
7 Decrease in process chemical inventories where feasible 
7 Improve chlorine detection 
7 Improve ammonia detection  
7 Improve mitigation capacity, both fixed and mobile 
7 Improve spill control
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