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ARTICLE · 05 OCTOBER 2016

Imperial Oil Fined $650,000

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The Imperial Oil refinery pled guilty to one offence for discharging a contaminant, coker stabilizer, thermocracked gas, into the natural environment causing an adverse effect and was fined $650,000...

CanadaEnvironment
Paula Lombardi
Paula Lombardi
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On September 19th the Imperial Oil refinery and chemical plant located in the City of Sarnia pled guilty to one offence for discharging a contaminant, coker stabilizer, thermocracked gas, into the natural environment causing an adverse effect and was fined $650,000 in addition to the 25% victim fine surcharge ($162,500).

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change reported that on February 7, 2014 a frozen flare line at the plant ruptured in two locations resulting in the discharge of the contaminant. Coker stabilizer thermocracked gas consists of a complex combination of hydrocarbons and contains hydrogen sulphide gas.

The discharge was detected when the company and employees reacted immediately by activating the site sirens.

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