On March 24, 2017, the National Center notified EPA of a potential 210,000 gallon discharge of oil and salt water in Marshall, Texas. The incident occurred after a storage tank was reportedly struck by lightning and caught fire. No injuries were reported from the fire, and local officials determined there was no need for evacuation or shelter in place. EPA is coordinating with State officials to assess the impact to a nearby creek.
Update -- 03/25/2017: The EPA observed that the fire was extinguished but the tank battery continued to smolder. The impacted tanks and debris were observed scattered around property and adjacent private property to the south of the tank battery. A large amount of oil was observed in a ponded area of the creek, approximately 500 feet southeast of the tank battery. Beyond the ponded oil, small pockets were observed in the creek between the tank battery and U.S. Interstate 20. Response contractors were on-site conducting an assessment and responding to the discharge incident, including an on-site reconnaissance in the creek. The majority of the oil was contained in the pond. Crews deployed sorbents to contain oil in the ponded area and at locations downstream, and they recovered oil with sorbent pads.
Update -- 04/06/2017: The EPA observed that all tank pieces have been collected and stockpiled within the secondary containment area. No visible oil or oil sheen was observed within the creek, five absorbent booms were observed within the creek south of I-20 and booms were recovered the next day. EPA and response contractor conducted water monitoring of Total Dissolved Solids, Salinity, and Conductivity within the creek. The testing showed the creek had returned to normal conditions. An estimate of 45 barrels of oil was recovered from the pond. The remaining remediation efforts and final cleanup will be overseen by the Texas Railroad Commission.
