Update on Fire Incident at Engen Oil Refinery in Durban, South Africa
Incident details on the fire at Engen Oil Refinery in Durban on December 4, 2020. Impact on environment, human health, and infrastructure outlined. Response by key authorities and steps taken discussed.
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FIRE INCIDENT AT ENGEN OIL REFINERY, DURBAN SOUTH UPDATE: INCIDENT ITO S30 OF NEMA
PURPOSE To provide a briefing on the fire that broke out at the Engen Refinery which is situated at Tara Road, Merebank, Durban, Ethekwini, at approximately 07:00am on 4 December 2020, Outline the aspects of the environment, human health and other infrastructure that were affected by the incident. Outline the steps that have been and will be undertaken by the various key role- players.
BACKGROUND The Engen Oil Refinery is based at No. 465 Tara Road, Wentworth in Durban. The refinery has been in existence for over 60 years. On the 4thof December 2020 at about 07h10am, a fire broke out at Engen causing a massive explosion The fire was extinguished at 08h45am. Engen reported that the fire incident happened in the Catalytic Diesel Hydrotreater (CDH) unit. The incident was reported to the Provincial authorities, namely the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs & Tourism (EDETA), DEFF, Ethekwini Municipality and Department of Labour
DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT The fire reportedly erupted in a pressurised diesel process unit in the North Complex, possibly caused by a dip in electricity supply that had occurred on 03 December 2020. This has to be confirmed through a thorough independent investigation. The followings impacts and effects were reported: 6 employees affected by the Engen explosion. They were treated and discharged from the hospital. Two (2) residents were treated for shock and discharged, an 83-year-old and 3-year- old. Ablock of flats which has six units with approximately 28 persons, was affected. They have been relocated to 2 nearby B & Bs for period of five days. After 5 days, the Department of Human Settlements will move them to the decanting units which were being refurbished. Costs incurred must be recovered from Engen. The plant has been shut down pending the outcome of the investigation for safety of employees and surrounding communities. The Department of Employment and Labour issued Engen with a Prohibition Order and demarcated a 20-metre no-go buffer area around the affected portion of the facility.
Response by Authorities Response by authorities: 1. Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF Sector Monitoring: Environmental Impact and Pollution) 2. Ethekwini Metro: Fire Services, Air Quality Management, Environmental (Municipal) Health Services, Metro Police, and Communications); 3. Provincial Department of Environmental Affairs (Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement, Air Quality Management), Communications; 4. CoGTA s Provincial Disaster Management Services; 5. Department of Employment and Labour to ascertain the health and safety of the employees; 6. Department of Human Settlements to investigate the effects of the fire on the neighbouring human settlements Office of the MEC and
UPDATES Engen has an existing Air Emissions License. The plume / smoke affected the neighbouring communities Air quality monitoring stations didn t show exceedances on limits of noxious gases (as set out in the AEL). The first recorded incident at Engen happened in year 2006 and the second in 2011. EDTEA issued a section 28 directive to Engen in 2011. The section provides for a duty of care and remediation of environmental damage The refinery is currently still on shutdown. Analysis of the incident and the investigation is still pending. An Incident Report must be provided within 14 days from the date of the incident.
INTERVENTIONS EDTEA immediately mobilized officials to undertake a site visit to assess the extent and consequential environmental damage associated with the incident. A Joint Operations Committee (JOC) of DEFF, EDTEA, CoGTA, DoH, DoE&L and the City of eThekwini has been established to monitor the process and provide necessary advice and support, where necessary. A Joint Operations Committee (JOC) meeting was held on site on 4 December 2020. Asubsequent meeting was convened by the MEC of CoGTAon 5 December 2020, where Ward Councillors and the emergency services department were present
INTERVENTIONS CONT.. A follow-up inspection was conducted by DEFF and EDTEA to establish the amount of diesel spilled and foam used A NEMA S28 Directive issued by EDTEA. (The section provides for duty of care and remediation of environmental damage). EDTEA and other authorities - Continue monitoring of progress of the clean up and incident management measures on-site
RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that the Portfolio Committee take note of: The report and interventions taken thus far by relevant authorities, and The pending further investigations that are being instituted.
THANK YOU! Mr Sonnyboy Bapela Chief Director: Sector Compliance Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Tel: 012 399 9422 | Mobile: 072 784 0353 Website: http://www.environment.gov.za Address: The Environment House, 473 Steve Biko Road, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083
