Urethane Blog

IDA Update

September 2, 2021

Power restoration work ongoing in Louisiana after damage from Ida

Author: Adam Yanelli

2021/09/02

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Work continues in Louisiana to repair the power infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Ida, which made landfall on Sunday as a powerful category 4 storm.

Regional power distributor Entergy said on Thursday that it has restored power to 167,000 customers and continues to work in areas that are safe and where power can be received.

The company again stressed that those in the hardest-hit areas could experience outages for weeks.

Source: Entergy

Poweroutage.us is showing just more than 900,000 customers without power in the state, which likely includes electrical service from other power distributors.

Damage assessments are continuing at refineries and chemical plants in the region, but operations cannot restart until feedstock supply, power, and other essential third-party utilities are restored.

While the impact will be much less severe than from winter storm Uri in mid-February, the power outages and flooding will constrain production for weeks.

Products most impacted include the chlor-alkali chain all the way through polyvinyl chloride (PVC), methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), styrene, linear alpha olefins (LAO), phthalic anhydride (PA) and butanediol (BDO).

PLANT STATUS
The following shows the status of the chemical plants and refineries affected by Ida.

CompanySiteProductsStatus
BASFGeismar, LouisianaBDO, EO, MDI, TDI, polyolsShutdown
Lion CopolymerGeismar, Louisianaethylene propylene diene monomer (EDPM)Shutdown
DowTaft, LouisianaOlefins, acetic acid, acrylic acid, acrylic acid esters, ethanolamines, EO, glycol ethers, LLDPE, oxo-alcoholsShutdown
DowPlaquemine, LouisianaOlefins, aromatics, EO, glycol ethers, LDPE, LLDPE, PG, POShutdown
Total EnergiesCarville, LouisianaPolystyrene (PS)Shutdown
RoehmFortier, LouisianaMethyl methacrylate (MMA)Shutdown
OxyChemConvent, LouisianaCaustic soda, chlorine, ethylene dichloride (EDC)FM
OxyChemTaft, LouisianaCaustic soda, chlorine, ethylene dichloride (EDC)FM
ShellGeismar, LouisianaLinear olefins, ethylene glycols (EG), ethylene oxide (EO), glycol ethers, linear alcoholsCurtailment
PBF EnergyChalmette, LouisianaBenzene, Toluene, Mixed Xylenes (MX)Shutdown
MethanexGeismar, LouisianaMethanolShutdown
ExxonMobilBaton Rouge, LouisianaEthylene, propylene, butadiene (BD), benzene, toluene, isopropanol (IPA), phthalic anhydride (PA), plasticizers, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), base oilsRestart
Enterprise ProductsLouisiana, USPropylene, natural gas liquids (NGLs)Shutdown
DAK AmericasBay St Louis, Mississippipolyethylene terephthalate (PET)FM
Cos-MarCarville, LouisianaStyrene, ethylbenzeneShutdown
AmStySt James, LouisianaStyreneShutdown
ValeroMeraux, LouisianaGasoline, refined products, propylene, propylene upgradeShutdown
ValeroSt Charles, LouisianaGasoline, refined products, propylene, propylene upgradeShutdown
ShintechAddis, LouisianaEthylene, chlorine, caustic soda, EDC, VCM, PVCShutdown
ShintechPlaquemine, LouisianaEthylene, chlorine, caustic soda, EDC, VCM, PVCShutdown
RubiconGeismar, LouisianaMDI, polyether polyols, aniline, nitrobenzeneShutdown
Pinnacle PolymersGaryville, LouisianaPPFM
Phillips 66Belle Chasse, LouisianaRefined products, aromatics, propyleneShutdown
OlinPlaquemine, LouisianaCaustic soda, chlorineShutdown
OlinSt Gabriel, LouisianaCaustic soda, chlorineShutdown
NOVAGeismar, LouisianaEthylene, propyleneShutdown
Marathon PetroleumGaryville, LouisianaGasoline, refined productsShutdown
ExxonMobilBaton Rouge, LouisianaGasoline, refinery grade propylene (RGP), benzene, tolueneShutdown
DowTaft, LouisianaOxo-alcohols (Isobutanol, n-Butanol)Shutdown
CornerstoneWaggaman, LouisianaACN, melamineFM
WestlakeGeismar, LouisianaCaustic soda, EDC, PVC, VCMShutdown
WestlakePlaquemine, LouisianaCaustic soda, EDC, PVC, VCMShutdown
Formosa PlasticsBaton Rouge, LouisianaPVC, VCMShutdown
ExxonMobilBaton Rouge, LouisianaOlefins, aromatics, IPA, polyolefins, base oilsShutdown
DowTaft, LouisianaOlefins, acetic acid, acrylic acid, acrylic acid esters, ethanolamines, EO, glycol ethers, LLDPE, oxo-alcoholsShutdown
DowPlaquemine, LouisianaOlefins, aromatics, EO, glycol ethers, LDPE, LLDPE, PG, POShutdown
BASFGeismar, LouisianaBDO, EO, MDI, TDI, polyolsShutdown
ShellNorco, LouisianaOlefinsShutdown
ShellGeismar, LouisianaLAO, EG, EO, linear alcohols, glycol ethersShutdown
Phillips 66Belle Chasse, LouisianaRefined products, aromatics, propyleneShutdown
CornerstoneWaggaman, LouisianaACN, melamineShutdown

RAIL UPDATE
Rail operations at the Port of New Orleans have resumed with modified daytime hours of operation to connect with BNSF, Norfolk Southern (NS) and Union Pacific (UP).

BNSF has reopened nearly all of its main line between Lafayette, Louisiana, and New Orleans, the US railroad company said on Wednesday.

UP said on Wednesday that its rail line between St James, Louisiana, and New Orleans remains closed, making it one of three lines in the state that are out of service because of Hurricane Ida.

It expected the line to open by Thursday, but the company did not respond to requests for confirmation prior to publication.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER REOPENS
The US Coast Guard has reopened the lower Mississippi river to nearly all vessel traffic, although some key areas along the river remain closed as recovery operations continue.

Some chemicals shipped by barge on the Mississippi river are still likely to be delayed following damage caused by Hurricane Ida.

Coast Guard crews continue to work with port partners on the identification and mitigation of grounded and submerged vessels along the banks of the river.

PORTS REOPENING
The Port of New Orleans reopened on Wednesday afternoon and port condition has been set at normal, but restrictions remain for some terminal operations. Vessel movement and cargo operations are authorised with restrictions.

The Inner Harbor Navigation Canal remains closed.

Terminal operators continue restoration efforts to resume operations, which is dependent upon power restoration.

New Orleans Terminal and Ports America for containerised operations will remain closed until more information is known, and dependent upon power restoration.

Empire, Coastal Cargo, Gulf Stream Marine and Ports America for breakbulk operations will be closed until more information is known, and dependent upon power restoration.

The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) has paused deliveries of crude until Hurricane Ida subsides.

LOOP is working directly with shippers to minimise storm related impacts.

Facility assessments and repairs are underway.

The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port is the nation’s only deepwater oil port for supertankers. Some 50% of the nation’s refining capacity can be supplied by LOOP, which moves 12% of the nation’s annual crude oil imports.

Additional reporting by Joseph Chang, Janet Miranda, Al Greenwood

https://www.icis.com/explore/resources/news/2021/09/02/10681177/power-restoration-work-ongoing-in-louisiana-after-damage-from-ida

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