Port Neches (August 12, 2020) – TPC Group continues to progress on response efforts and recovery activities at TPC Group Port Neches Operations.
Situation Update: TPC Group’s Technical Team, along with site personnel and contractors, have substantially completed the site de-inventory process. All finished butadiene has been removed and all other butadiene-containing materials have been safely transferred offsite. In addition, the transfer of crude C4, raffinate and other process materials associated with the de-inventory process have been completed.
Plans are underway to safely begin the demolition phase of recovery activities. TPC Group’s Technical Team, along with site personnel and contractors, have identified and prepared equipment compromised during the November 27 event for removal from the site. As part of this effort, TPC Group plans to mobilize some equipment on-site beginning Thursday, August 13 to further enable demolition and removal efforts.
Community residents, during this time, may see or hear movement of heavy equipment onsite, including large trucks and cranes. Noise associated with demolition activity will be limited to daytime hours. Initial activity will include moving material and clearing roadways inside the facility to prepare the work area. The Company will utilize wet methods, which include large misting equipment that will spray water to suppress dust impact to the area.
Air Monitoring: Air monitoring continues on site. TPC Group air monitoring coverage, conducted by contracted environmental response specialists, continues to include four stationary monitors at the fence line and eight stationary monitors inside the fence line. The radius of community monitoring is focused on the site perimeter. Monitoring teams will remain ready to respond in the community should there be a need.
Information Resources: TPC Group will continue to manage inquiries related to recovery activities at Port Neches Operations via the official response website at www.portnechesresponse.com, as well as through established social media channels on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PortNechesUC and Twitter (@PortNechesUC).
Residents are also encouraged to register for updates from the Southeast Texas Alerting Network (STAN). Call 1-877-843-7826 (toll-free) anytime to hear important alerts and notifications or visit www.thestan.com to register for notifications.