The refinery reported to the Northwest Clean Air Agency that the hole was discovered on March 24, prompting an emergency shutdown of the catalytic cracking unit. In the process of shutting the unit down and in restarting it three days later, Shell reported they exceeded permitted levels of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide on seven occasions during the operation.
Katie Skipper, with the NW Clean Air Agency, said her agency won't know how much of the pollution was actually released or how long the the release lasted until a full report from Shell expected at the end of this month. Pollution releases exceeding permitted levels may or may not prompt fine or actions by the clean air agency, depending on a number of factors.
The release of the catalyst is now, in itself, considered in violation of Shell's permits.
KUOW radio reported that Shell spokeswoman Kimberly Windon said, "the catalyst leak was small and that the equipment was shut down safely. She said no one was injured and the cracking unit is back up to full operation."