According to the 008 Outfall Response article published on May 7, 2023, Unified Command has been established at the Shell Deer Park Chemicals complex. The US Coast Guard, Texas General Land Office, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and other authorities are jointly responding along with Shell Chemicals to the 008 Outfall Response.
The re-ignited fire at Shell’s Deer Park Chemicals facility has not yet been extinguished, however it has been contained to a controlled zone.
On the morning of May 7, wastewater containment was nearing capacity in on-site storage ponds. In preparation for the incoming weather, runoff water was directed to the Houston Ship Channel as part of a controlled discharge. As a precaution, boom has been deployed to prevent any product from entering the channel.
The facility continues to use a large amount of water to control the fire at the facility. Water continues to be added to nearby retention ponds with an expectation that when the fire is extinguished, large volumes will still be needed to cool equipment for up to 36 hours.
After the rain event this afternoon, a light sheen was observed in a small slip located outside of the precautionary boom. The location of the sheen is not in the path of the controlled discharge but we have deployed additional clean-up crews to the area.
Air monitoring is ongoing and has not detected any harmful levels of chemicals affecting neighboring communities. There is no danger to the nearby community, however residents and neighbors may notice black smoke, flaring and increased noise from the facility.
Our immediate priorities remain the safety of people and the environment.
