PA Environment Digest Blog: DEP: Shell Petrochemical Plant Fire Resulted In Possible Release Of An Unknown Quantity Of 1,3-Butadiene And Benzene Into The Atmosphere In Beaver County

On June 5, the Department of Environmental Protection issued a statement saying the June 4 fire at the Shell Petrochemical Plant in Beaver County resulted in the “possible release of an unknown amount of 1,3-butadiene and benzene into the atmosphere.”

DEP said it “expects Shell to calculate the amount of these emissions, if any, and report its findings to DEP.”

Both 1,3-butadiene and benzene are known carcinogens.

DEP said, “Shell Petrochemicals Monaca notified DEP of a fire at ethane cracking furnace #5 at the Monaca Plant. Furnace No. 5 was not in production at the time of the fire.”

“Shell extinguished the fire yesterday afternoon. The company reported evacuating 15 employees due to the fire. No one was seriously injured. Shell did report one minor heat-related injury,” according to DEP.

“DEP dispatched an Emergency Response Team member to the plant last night for initial assessment.”

“Staff did not observe any visible, fugitive, or malodor emissions and DEP’s air monitor did not register any emissions above zero, which means there weren’t any air pollutants that lingered related [to] the fire.”

“Shell has a dedicated accident investigation team that is conducting the investigation.”

“DEP will continue to work with Shell to ensure they are in compliance with environmental regulations and to ensure the health and safety of the nearby community.”

The Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community first reported the incident in a statement at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The group said at approximately 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4, smoke was observed by the BreatheCam public livestream coming from furnace #5 at the plant.

The smoke was confirmed by a post on the Shell Petrochemical Plant Facebook page at about 6:00 p.m. June 4 said, “Today at approximately 2:20 p.m., smoke was observed coming from a furnace unit.”

"State and local agencies were notified. A third-party company has been mobilized to monitor air quality and any potential offsite impacts. Shell’s primary focus remains the safety and health of people, and the protection of the environment."

No further details were posted by the company.

The Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community said it had "received an anonymous report from a Shell employee alleging an explosion occurred this afternoon at the Shell petrochemical facility in Potter Township."

"According to the report, Shell personnel were observed hosing down the furnaces following the incident."

"BCMAC urges community members to stay vigilant and report any unusual odors, noises, or health symptoms to both BCMAC and appropriate regulatory bodies."

Click Here for a video clip of the smoke.

Visit DEP’s Shell Petrochemical Plant webpage for information on the facility.

(Photo: Michale Thomas via Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community.)

NewsClips:

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Shell Petrochemical Plant Still Investigating Fire At Beaver County Ethane Furnace

-- The Allegheny Front - Reid Frazier: Explosion, Smoke Reported At Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County

-- Reuters: Shell Reports June 4 Fire At Ethylene Cracker Plant In Pennsylvania

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - May 31 to June 6 - Horizontal Drilling Spill; ‘Control Issue’ Blows Drilling Mud Out A Flare; Failure To Notify DEP Of Spills; More Abandoned Wells [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - June 7 [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 73 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In June 7 PA Bulletin [PaEN]