Storm Edouard Causes Flaring at Motiva Port Arthur Refinery

DAVENPORT, FL (DTN) – Motiva Enterprises reported an emissions event at its 656,400 bpd Port Arthur refinery in Texas after severe weather associated with Tropical Storm Edouard caused unexpected interruptions and shutdowns of several critical pieces of equipment, according to a filing with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

The event occurred Tuesday (9/1) between 4:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. CT, lasting three hours and 45 minutes.

Affected equipment included the No. 3 fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU), No. 4 catalytic reforming unit, No. 4 hydrotreater, Alkylation 4 and the lube hydrocracking unit, with emissions routed through several flare stacks. The FCCU and catalytic reforming and alkylation units are particularly associated with gasoline production.

The largest reported release was approximately 2,076 pounds of sulfur dioxide from the No. 3 FCCU regenerator. Additional emissions were reported from the refinery’s flare systems.

Motiva said the refinery took immediate action to stabilize affected process units and minimize flaring and emissions following the weather-related disruption.

The Port Arthur refinery primarily produces gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other petroleum products.

DTN reached out to Motiva Enterprises for additional details but did not get an immediate response.