Local landowners discovered oil in Otter Creek north of Chester, TX and notified Tyler County officials as well as TCEQ. A broken 8 inch pipeline known as the Colmesneil line owned by Sunoco was discovered late on February 23rd. Sunoco deployed their cleanup contractors to the scene late on February 23.
Currently, Sunoco is reporting approximately 550 barrels of oil were released from the broken pipeline. Reconassaince on Otter Creek found oil for approximately 6 miles downstream of the broken pipleline. The broken pipeline was isolated and shut down. Sunoco contractors placed boom in several areas on Otter Creek and vac trucks are being used to recover oil. A helicopter recon of the spill area was conducted on Feb 24 to help determine the total distance the oil had flowed downstream in Otter Creek
Both TCEQ and Texas Railroad Commission personnel were onsite late on Feb. 23 to oversee the Sunoco Response. EPA deployed one Region 6 OSC as well as START on Feb 24. EPA met with Sunoco representatives late on Feb 24 and surveyed part of the spill scene. Further inspection of the spill scene and response work will be conducted by EPA on Feb. 25.
Sunoco is also working with local officials including Tyler County Emergency Management officials. An Incident Command Post has been set up at a local hotel in Woodville and Sunoco is working on an Incident Action Plan.
