[StBernard] Exxon Reports Leak of Hydrogen Sulfide at Chalmette

[Westley Annis]

Exxon Reports Leak of Hydrogen Sulfide at Chalmette
By Leela Landress and Aaron Clark - Oct 7, 2010 Exxon Mobil Corp. reported a
leak of compressed gas containing hydrogen sulfide at its Chalmette refinery
in Louisiana. 

"Chalmette refining is in the process of containing a leak of compressed
flammable gas which contains small amounts of hydrogen sulfide," Kevin
Allexon, a spokesman for Exxon, said in an e-mail. "We are actively
mitigating the odors associated with this release, which are not considered
harmful at the levels being monitored." 

A contractor died at the refinery late yesterday, Allexon said in the
e-mail, and the company is investigating. He didn't say whether the death
was related to the leak. 

The leak was reported about 11:20 p.m. local time Oct. 4, Louisiana State
Police Sergeant Markus Smith said in a telephone interview. The leak was
from a clamp that had been used to halt a prior leak, he said. The clamp is
at a process unit that was not identified, according to a police report. 

Yesterday, workers used a "large water curtain to keep the vapors from going
offsite," according to Smith. Monitors outside the refinery haven't detected
hydrogen sulfide, he said. 

A special flange needed to isolate the damaged area was expected to arrive
from Houston yesterday, Smith said. 

'Extremely Hazardous' 

Hydrogen sulfide is "extremely hazardous," according to a fact sheet from
the Occupational Safety & Health Administration. At low concentrations the
gas can "irritate the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory system," according
to the administration. High concentrations can result in death. 

The refinery is a joint venture with Petroleos de Venezuela SA and has a
capacity of 200,700 barrels a day, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. 

Exxon will stop operating some units at the Chalmette refinery in Louisiana
and eliminate 70 jobs to stay competitive, the company said in an Aug. 26
e-mail. Exxon declined to say which units would be shut. 

Chalmette is in St. Bernard Parish, adjacent to New Orleans.