Storage tank with liquid caustic overflows at Shell Deer Park facility

11-Jan-10

Shell’s Deer Park facility is facing a situation due to the extreme cold temperatures, though there is no danger to the surrounding community or the employees who were working at that particular site. Frigid temperatures overnight caused an equipment malfunction in a storage tank area which caused one storage tank to overflow. That tank contained about 250 gallons of a very corrosive material called liquid caustic, used in a variety of petrochemical processes. The situation at the complex was resolved at a rapid pace, with teams on standby to monitor those storage tanks in case there are any other problems. "We follow our very detailed procedures and processes for preparing the plant first of all in advance of the freezing conditions. We protect the piping instrumentation and other critical equipment that we have on site," said Shell spokesperson Chris Bozman. "We have teams that work around the clock to monitor the situation and make sure we could quickly resolve any situation that comes up."