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Environmental damage, financial setbacks, health risks, and death. Through the years, history has recorded catastrophic tank failures and these devastating consequences. In today’s article, we will walk you through some infamous tank failures in the United States, pinpointing their causes and emphasizing the importance of tank inspections.
Historical Tank Failures in US Territories
The following are examples of past tank failures that have affected communities and/or the environment:
1. Ashland Oil Spill (1988)
Cause: A dime-sized rusting flaw on a 45-year-old tank
In January 1988, an aboveground storage tank containing four-million gallons of diesel oil split open in Floreffe, Pennsylvania. The incident released approximately 750,000 to 800,000 gallons of fuel into the Monongahela River – one of the worst inland oil spills in the nation’s history. Public water systems throughout Pennsylvania and West Virginia shut down, impacting over one million individuals across 80 communities. Thousands of birds and marine species also died in the process.
Ashland Oil Company incurred hefty fines, cleanup expenses, and compensation costs amounting to an estimated $18 million.
2. Paulsboro Refinery Oil Spill (2012)
Cause: Tank rupture due to lack of inspections and maintenance
On February 23rd, personnel at the Paulsboro Refining Company in New Jersey found a ruptured tank leaking at around 1:30 in the afternoon, Thursday. At 4:30 pm, 157,000 barrels or 6.6 million gallons of oil had leaked into the refinery’s emergency containment area.
Although the company contained the spill, several nearby communities reported the presence of petroleum odors. Immunocompromised populations, including seniors and people with respiratory problems, were advised to remain indoors until odors subside. Breathing petroleum or gasoline vapor can cause nausea, headaches, and dizziness. Exposure may also trigger and aggravate coughing, phlegm, and shortness of breath in those with lung conditions.
3. Husky Energy Refinery Explosion (2018)
Cause: Lack of safeguards during a maintenance shutdown
In 2023, the US Chemical Safety Board (CSB) publicized new revelations on the 2018 fires and explosion at a refinery in Superior, Wisconsin. Previously owned by Husky Energy, the incident injured dozens of employees and necessitated temporary evacuations for thousands of residents.
Following a thorough investigation spanning over four years, the CSB concluded that the explosion occurred due to the refinery’s insufficient maintenance and safety protocols. One oversight was the failure to establish a steam barrier in a section of the facility’s fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCC unit) used in gasoline production. Melike Yersiz, the lead investigator for the CSB, emphasized that a steam barrier prevents air from mixing with flammable hydrocarbons within a unit. Among many other safeguard inadequacies, the plant operators also neglected a severely eroded slide valve, enabling airflow into the rest of the tank.
4. Chevron Oil Spill (2021)
Cause: Corroded transmission pipes
On February 9th, a case of undetected pipeline corrosion resulted in a spill at the Chevron Wharf. The 2,900-acre petroleum refinery in Richmond, San Francisco, is responsible for pouring an estimated 800 gallons of oil into the surrounding waters, most unabated for nearly two hours. The incident cast a brown sheen in the northeastern part of the bay, where citizens and wildlife live and recreate.
“It smelled like somebody spilled gasoline in front of my house,” Richmond resident Margaret Berczynski shared with ABC News. “I can’t take my kids to the water, I can’t walk on water, I can’t enjoy it. I’m really scared,” she added.
The oil-giant paid $70,000 in civil penalties and $130,000 to recompense CDFW’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response, according to official court documents.
5. Corpus Christi Valero Refinery Fire (2023)
Cause: Lack or complete absence of tank inspections and maintenance
On May 17th, a fire broke out at Valero’s West Plant refinery in Corpus Christi, Texas. Darcy Schroeder, a company spokeswoman, said there were no casualties or injuries. However, the incident is part of a concerning trend in a region with a dense concentration of oil refining and chemical production facilities. Unfortunately, these plants are in proximity to residential areas.
Over the last three weeks prior to this particular incident, surrounding oil refineries and chemical plants in East Texas also had fire outbreaks. While some residents have become accustomed to explosions and toxic releases, others are becoming increasingly alarmed by the frequent impact on their daily lives.
“You’re going to have a lot of pollutants released,” Eric Schaeffer, former Environmental Protection Agency official, told the Washington Post. “That’s probably [one of] the biggest concerns for the residents.”
The fire’s main cause is unknown. Still, reporters suspect ‘lack of maintenance’ as the culprit, as it is the common denominator in similar occurrences.
A Call to Avoid Repeating History
These previous tank failures serve as harrowing reminders to implement proactive inspection and maintenance procedures. Routine inspections and diligent upkeep can prevent disasters, ultimately safeguarding communities, wildlife, and business interests.
Invest in cutting-edge technologies and skilled personnel to maintain the highest standards of tank integrity. Industrial Inspection Group, for example, can minimize the likelihood of fuel tank failures and ensure a safer future for all through our API 653 storage tank inspections, NDT services, and more. Contact us for a quote or to learn more about our company.
