Odour nuisance naphtha tank leak TotalEnergies

Bouts of odour nuisance remain possible

The leaking tank has since been completely emptied. But a significant amount of naphtha is still present at the site and needs to be cleaned up. Work on this may again cause bouts of odour nuisance. This depends on variable winds. It is difficult to predict where this nuisance may occur.
 

A Hazardous Substances Adviser has been taking periodic measurements since the start of the incident. These show that there is indeed an occasional increase in odour nuisance, but the values are certainly not alarming for health. Are you bothered by the smell? Then close your windows and doors and switch off the ventilation.
 

Petrol smell
Naphtha smells like petrol. In recent days, the emergency services received many reports because people often confuse the smell with that of natural gas. Try to weigh up carefully: do you smell natural gas or could it also be the smell of this incident? Are you worried that there might be a natural gas leak after all? If so, always call 112.
 

Traffic disruption
Due to the presence of the emergency services, the public road is still closed near Scheldedijk 30. Traffic disruption will also continue next week due to planned works on a railway crossing near Canadastraat and Scheldedijk. Those works have unfortunately been delayed due to the incident.

DeWaterbus' "Zwijndrecht" stop will remain accessible to employees of the DEME company. Other passengers will be redirected to the "Kallo" stop.

As of 3 PM bouts of odor nuisance are again possible. The wind is currently blowing straight toward the historic center of Antwerp.

Are you experiencing any inconvenience? Then please, close your windows and doors.

Pumping work on the leaking tank is still in full swing. The company and emergency services also continued to work last night to minimize the disruption.

The variable wind means that odor nuisance is still possible in the wider area. This morning the wind will blow in the direction of Kallo and Waaslandhaven. After noon it is expected to turn towards Melsele. We still urge you to close windows and doors if you are bothered by the smell.

The blockage of the Scheldt has now ended: shipping traffic is possible again.

The tank is mostly drained. In order to safely remove the last liquid from the tank, we have to take some additional safety measures locally. Therefore, the Joint Nautical Authority is forced to block the Scheldt near the TotalEnergies site as a precautionary measure. This measure will last until 8 pm.

Pumping work on the leaking tank is still in progress. The Antwerp Fire Department and Civil Protection remain present and are helping the company to take the necessary measures. This includes fire crews from different departments, such as Fire Department Rand and Fire Department Rivierenland. Port of Antwerp-Bruges is providing assistance with a tug with extinguishing capacity to help monitor the incident and ensure safety.

Odor nuisance remains possible

Odor nuisance is still present, although every effort is being made on site to minimize it. The wind is still changing direction today, making it difficult to predict where the odor may cause nuisance. Odor nuisance will remain possible in the wide area for the next few days as well.

The odor itself is not harmful, but it can obviously be very annoying or troublesome. Therefore, it is best to close windows and doors and turn off ventilation if you are experiencing nuisance.

Odour nuisance possible in Antwerp

A leak was detected at a naphtha tank at Total on Monday morning. The wind turned back towards the city in the past few hours. As a result, a petrol smell may again be detected in Antwerp.

Odour nuisance

The Fire Brigade and Civil Protection are present and are helping the company to take the necessary measures. Since the start of the incident, odour nuisance has been reduced to every possible extent by the use of  extinguishing foam. This is a layer of foam that is spread over the product, making it difficult or impossible for the odour to get through. Certain conditions, such as wind, can cause occasional gaps in this foam carpet. As a result, odour nuisance can sometimes increase.

A Hazardous Substances Adviser carries out periodic measurements. These measurements show that there is indeed an occasional increase in odour nuisance, but that the values are certainly not alarming for health. Of course, the smell is annoying and a nuisance. Therefore, we ask you to close windows and doors and turn off the ventilation if you experience nuisance.

Still worried that there might be a gas leak? Then always call 112.

Follow the diversions

Emergency services recommend avoiding the area as much as possible. After all, a large part of the Scheldedijk is closed and traffic cannot pass through. Car drivers, truck drivers and cyclists alike will follow an alternative route.

The operations to empty and secure the affected naphtha tank are still in progress. The necessary safety precautions must be taken and, in addition, the necessary logistical and technical measures are being worked out in consultation with the government departments involved on site. Since the start of the incident, odor nuisance has been limited to every possible extent by the use of extinguishing foam. Due to e.g. wind, holes can be made in the foam carpet which can release odor. Keep in mind that the odor nuisance may persist for some time. Every effort will be made to prevent this as much as possible. 

TotalEnergies' company fire department and technical teams are working closely with Fire Brigade Zone Antwerp, Civil Protection and the surrounding companies and suppliers to empty the leaking tank and eliminate the odor nuisance. An Advisor on Hazardous Substances (AGS) is on site to monitor the situation.

Naphtha is an important intermediate in the petrochemical industry and is used as a base for various chemical products. 

This map shows the safety perimeter and closed roads.

On Monday 24 June, a leak was detected at one of the naphtha tanks in TotalEnergies Olefins Antwerp's tank farm in Zwijndrecht.

As a result, a petrol smell has been detectable in the area for several days now. This odour nuisance is not dangerous for local residents but can be annoying. In case of nuisance, we ask to keep windows and doors closed.

Operations to empty and secure the affected naphtha tank are ongoing.  The necessary caution with regard to safety must be observed and, in addition, the necessary logistical and technical measures are being worked out in consultation with the relevant government departments on site. Since the start of the incident, odour nuisance has been limited to every possible extent by the deployment of fire-fighting foam. Due to e.g. wind, gaps in the foam carpet can cause odour release. Keep in mind that the odour nuisance may persist for some time. Every effort will be made to counter this as much as possible.

TotalEnergies' company fire brigade and technical teams are working closely with Fire Brigade Zone Antwerp, Civil Protection and the surrounding companies and suppliers to empty the leaking tank and remedy the odour nuisance. A Hazardous Substances Advisor (AGS) is on site with us to monitor the situation.