eNatech - Natech Accident

Natech Accident

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Type

Natech Accident

Date

2007/07/01

Natural Hazard

2007 Verdigris River Flooding, United States, 2007

Site

Coffeyville Refinery Resources and Marketing, United States

Status

Published

Units Involved

Name
Above-ground tanks
Type
Storage: Atmospheric storage tank
Description
These tanks are used for the storage of crude oil and its fractions.

The refinery is located just inside a flood levee adjacent to the Verdigris River. At the time of the release, the river's water level exceeded the levee by 1.2m (3.9 feet) and topped the secondary containment dykes surrounding the storage tank area.
Name
Coke fine storage
Type
Storage: Unknown
Description
Coke fines were used and hence stored at the refinery.
Name
Drainage system
Type
Other: Waste disposal

Event Sequences

Name

Oil Spill

Unit

1. Above-ground tanks

Description

Tank 8010 was affected by the oil spill and an estimated 305 m3 (1,919 barrels) of crude oil were released from it into the Verdigris River.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported that a valve was not closed by plant employees during the emergency shutdown. Crude oil continued to be pumped from a tank at a higher elevation into Tank 8010 which eventually overflowed.

The company indicated that due to the imminent flood they were trying to partially fill oil tanks to keep them from floating away.

Substances Involved

Name
Crude oil
Involved Quantity
305 m³

Initiating Event	Critical Event	Major Event
-	Release: Release due to overflow Contributing Factors Organisational: Isolation of equipment / system: Unavailable One valve was not closed, because the plant workers mistakenly believed to have more time to shut down the refinery before the water arrived. A plant spokesman contends that this was due to a malfunctioning flood gauge upstream on the Verdigris River. Other warnings had been issued on that day by the National Weather Service that indicated that record flooding was imminent. Measure: Containment system (e.g. walls, dikes, enclosed room): Inadequate Due to the river flood the secondary containment dykes around the tanks were also flooded. Therefore, the release of crude oil from the tank could not be contained in the dyke. Release: Liquid release to water body	Dispersion: Substance in / on water The oil dispersed in the Verdigris river

Name

Coke fine release

Unit

2. Coke fine storage

Description

Coke fines were released from the refinery, suspended in the flood waters and deposited in the town of Coffeyville.

Initiating Event	Critical Event	Major Event
-	Release: Release due to overflow Coke fines were stored at the refinery in an open pile. During flooding they were released from the refinery and suspended in the flood waters.	Dispersion: Substance in / on ground The coke fines carried with the floodwaters were deposited in the town of Coffeyville.

Name

Displacement of tanks

Unit

1. Above-ground tanks

Description

Several of the above-ground storage tanks were observed to have shifted off of their foundations within the flooded, diked areas due to the flood waters.

An additional 15 m3 (4,000 gallons) of crude oil fractions and 19 m3 (5,000 gallons) of diesel oil were also reported to have been discharged into the floodwaters although the source of these releases is not specified.

Substances Involved

Name
Crude oil fractions
Involved Quantity
15 m³
Name
Diesel oil
Involved Quantity
19 m³

Initiating Event	Critical Event	Major Event
Natural Hazard: Floating off of storage tanks / equipment	Release: Liquid release to water body Although there is no detailed information on releases from the displaced tanks, it is likely that small spills occurred when the floodwaters displaced them. This would also explain the reported releases of diesel oil and crude oil fractions.	Dispersion: Substance in / on water

Name
Discharge from waste disposal system
Unit
3. Drainage system
Description
The drainage system flooded, releasing oily water.
Initiating Event Critical Event Major Event
Natural Hazard: Floating oil in drainage systems due to inundation
Release: Liquid release to water body
Dispersion: Substance in / on water

Initiating Event	Critical Event	Major Event
Natural Hazard: Floating oil in drainage systems due to inundation	Release: Liquid release to water body	Dispersion: Substance in / on water

Emergency Response

Response Planning

Emergency response plan takes Natech events into consideration: Yes

Emergency response plan is sufficient in taking Natech events into consideration: No

Response Planning Activities

The refinery said that in preparation for the flood it was partially filling oil tanks to keep them from floating away.

The emergency response plan was activated and the refinery was shut down. However, instead of the 24 hours usually required to secure the plant, staff only had 5-6 hours before they had to evacuate due to the flood.

Difficulties in Response to the Natural Hazard

Insufficient personnel and equipment to respond to both emergencies: Yes

Natech event prevents access of personnel to natural hazard affected area: No

Natech event prevents efficient operation of personnel in the natural hazard affected area: No

Difficulties in Response to the Natech Event

Insufficient personnel and equipment to respond to both emergencies: Yes

Damage to lifelines (e.g. water, power, communication, transportation): Yes

Response Teams and Equipment Involved

Regional / national hazmat teams

Sheltering and Evacuation due to the Natech event

On-site evacuation
Off-site evacuation

Consequences

Environmental Zones Impacted

Inland (e.g. grassland, cropland, forest)
Freshwater (e.g. pond, lake, stream)

Environmental Impacts

Water sampling downstream of the refinery and in the immediate area of the City of Coffeyville conducted by the EPA and the company (CRRM) showed the presence of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene, and naphthalene which are common constituents of oil. Air-quality samples in the City of Coffeyville by EPA and CRRM did not indicate the presence of volatile organic compounds at a level of concern.

Down-time of the Facility

865 hour(s)

Economic Impacts

The gross costs associated with the repair of, and other matters relating to the damage to the company’s facilities and with third party and property damage remediation incurred due to the crude oil discharge have been reported in 2008 as approximately 153.6 million USD.

Built-up Areas Impacted

Residential areas (e.g. housings, hotels)
Commercial areas (e.g. offices, shops)

Community Disruption

Over 300 houses were affected by the oil and the flooding.

The oil-polluted waters entered farmland, and farmers were advised to mow down their crop and keep cattle off the land.

Remedial Activities

Decontamination Activities

With the help of the US Coast Guard (Atlantic Strike Team), the company deployed overall 2,500m (8000 feet) of boom and 6 boats in the frame of the Oil Spill Response Contract. The affected area was declared off-limits with the National Guard manning its perimeter.

Remediation Activities

The refinery carried out actions to contain and collect oil, oiled debris, and sorbent materials on the river and creeks. It also performed soil remediation in residential areas. Overall, these activities took about 10 months.

CRRM carried out house buyouts from affected property owners (both residential and commercial).

Affected commercial buildings were remediated or purchased by the company for demolition (370 properties were demolished).

Restoration Activities

In 2008/2009 final grading and reseeding of property now owned by the company was conduction. This completed the on-site remedial actions.

Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned on Organisational Aspects

Early flood warning is important to give refinery operators the necessary time to properly shut down and secure processes and equipment.

ID: 52, Created: Vincenzo ARCIDIACONO, 2014-09-17 18:10:19 – Last Updated: Amos NECCI, 2021-03-17 17:09:59

Attachments

No	Description	File Size
1.	2007 Flood and Crude Oil Discharge for CVR_ENERGY_INC (CVI)	75.51KB
2.	Coffeyville Refinery Resources and Marketing Oil Spill - EPA	3.21MB
3.	Eastman versus CRRM	136.04KB
4.	EPA CRRM Consent Agreement	1.30MB
5.	International Oil Spill Conference MILEY	64.75KB
6.	The Joplin Globe - Kansas State	1.46MB
7.	The Wichita Eagle - Coffeyville remediation	1.05MB