LSB Industries Inc. on June 5 released an update on progress in certain areas of its El Dorado Chemical Co. subsidiary’s facility located in El Dorado, Ark. LSB previously announced that on May 15, 2012 the El Dorado facility suffered significant damage when a reactor in its DSN 98 percent concentrated nitric acid plant (DSN) exploded. No employees or anyone in the El Dorado community were injured as a result of the explosion, and there was no environmental impact.
At this time, the LSBS intends to re-start regular nitric acid and ammonium nitrate (AN) production, on a partial basis, in approximately 30 days, and increase that production over the next 90 days, as various plants are brought back on-line. At this time it is not known when the El Dorado facility will produce 98 percent concentrated nitric acid.
LSB said it is unlikely that repair of the DSN plant is feasible. At this time the company, along with its insurance carriers, are evaluating the damages. This evaluation will take several months to complete. The DSN concentrated nitric acid plant produced approximately 20 percent of the nitric acid manufactured at the El Dorado facility. The company intends to replace the nitric acid production capacity lost by this event.
The three other nitric acid plants, which produce approximately 80 percent of the nitric acid at the El Dorado, in concentrations from 56 percent to 65 percent, sustained less damage. LSB is in the process of undertaking repairs, which should be completed over the next 30 to 90 days. Production from these plants will be phased in over that period as repair of each plant is completed.
The high-density prilled AN plant was returned to operation last week and is running on a limited basis with feedstock from other sources. High-density AN is used for agricultural and high-purity industrial applications.
The low-density AN plant required only minor repairs, which have been completed. When nitric acid is available from one or all of the three “regular” nitric acid plants, the El Dorado facility will resume production of low-density AN. Low-density AN is used primarily for industrial / mining applications.
The El Dorado facility has restarted the truck loading facilities for certain products to enable the facility to ship inventory that was on hand prior to the incident.
The El Dorado facility main nitric acid control room structure was destroyed by the explosion; however, most of the controls remained intact. A temporary control room will be utilized until a new permanent control facility is erected.
The sulfuric acid plant sustained substantial damage and, as a result, as of this date the company is unable to set a target date for return of this plant to operation.
In addition to the damage sustained by the primary production plants discussed above, the electrical service and various support facilities were damaged. Temporary electrical service is available at this time. Repairs to the permanent electrical service and various support facilities will be made over the next 30 to 90 days.
LSB said it is working closely with customers to identify alternatives for supply.
The company believes that it has sufficient insurance to cover the damages to the facility and to cover the company’s lost revenue, after $1 million deductible as to property damage and a 30-day waiting period as to business interruption, per insurance policy provisions.
“The company regrets the difficulties this incident has caused its customers, and is committed to restarting production units as quickly as possible,” said Jack Golsen, LSB chairman and CEO. “This interruption of business activities has been unfortunate; however, we are very positive about the future of our El Dorado facility. We are committed to repairing and rebuilding the El Dorado facility as