Exxon says it’s contained 2 leaks at B.R. refinery

Exxon Mobil Corp. says it has contained a “pinhole butane leak on internal piping” that occurred Wednesday at its Baton Rouge refinery, as well as a “naphtha leak that contained benzene” today. Affirming both leaks have been stopped, Stephanie Cargile, Exxon public affairs manager in Baton Rouge, says, “We continue to meet all contractual commitments.” Cargile says today’s leak was contained within the refinery’s wastewater treatment facility onsite. “All appropriate agencies were notified, and there was no impact to the neighborhood,” she says. “The safety of our personnel and community continues to be our first priority.” Citing the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Reuters reports all rail traffic was temporarily suspended at the facility following the benzene leak. No specific leak amounts have been reported. Air monitoring at the facility has not shown “anything excessive,” a public information officer with the Louisiana regulator tells Reuters. —Steve Sanoski