United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region III
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

Site is the location of 24 abandoned oil wells that are leaking into Laurel Run which is a tributary to Goose Creek that runs into the Ohio River.  Seventeen wells have been plugged and their locations reclaimed.  The site now includes 24 wells.

47-107-80444 Well #10 N 39o 12’ 36.90”  W 081o17’5.25’
47-107-80446 Well #11 N 39o 12’ 33.97”  W 081o17’12.12’
47-107-80447 Well #12 N 39o 12’ 34.84”  W 081o17’11.95’
47-107-80451 Well #13 N 39o 12’ 37.28”  W 081o17’11.86’
47-107-80452 Well #14 N 39o 12’ 41.53”  W 081o17’11.85’
47-107-80448 Well #15 N 39o 12’ 30.16”  W 081o17’13.43’
47-107-80454 Well #16 N 39o 12’ 43.63”  W 081o17’9.41’
47-107-80453 Well #17 N 39o 12’ 42.82”  W 081o17’10.47’
47-107-80455 Well #18 N 39o 12’ 46.32”  W 081o17’7.13’
47-107-80449 Well #19 N 39o 12’ 31.22”  W 081o17’13.49’
47-107-80442 Well #20 N 39o 12’ 39.21”  W 081o17’3.98’
47-107-80456 Well #21 N 39o 12’ 32.79”  W 081o17’6.28’
47-107-80457 Well #22 N 39o 12’ 34.59”  W 081o17’5.51’
47-107-80445 Well #23 N 39o 12’ 34.49”  W 081o17’5.08’
47-107-80443 Well #24 N 39o 12’ 38.55”  W 081o17’3.38’

a.  On May 24, 2004, WVDEP and the plugging contractor rigged up on well #16 and pulled approximately 250 feet of tubing from the wellbore.  The contractor then attempted to pull the casing from the wellbore and determined that the casing was bent.  Due to the recent directive from OSC Kelly to prioritize plugging operations at the current well projects, WVDEP stopped work at this well due to lack of time for completion of plugging.  The contractor completed plugging operations at well #17 and set the monument on the well.  The contractors completed temporary reclamation at the location and began demobilization of equipment from the site.
b.  Temporary reclamation was completed at locations 16, 17, and 18 on May 25, 2004.
c.  On May 26, 2004, the contractor completed demobilization of equipment from the site.
d.  START was not present on site during this week but corresponded with WVDEP concerning site operations.

Removal actions at the site include plugging operations on 24 identified wells in order to mitigate the threat of oil reaching the navigable waters of West Virginia.  Following plugging operations, the areas surrounding the wells will be reclaimed to a condition that was present prior to any land alterations by equipment and personnel gaining access to the wells.  All oil-contaminated soils will be transported off site for TCLP analyses and disposal by WVDEP.

A.  START will continue to monitor plugging activities, conduct photo and written documentation of site activities, and conduct cost tracking for the project.
B.  OSC Kelly will continue correspondence with START and WVDEP to coordinate the completion of plugging activities at the site.  WVDEP will return to the site upon completion of plugging operations at the Ohio River Abandoned Wells Site.
C.  OSC Kelly will update the USCG on the status of plugging operations at the site once work has resumed.

There is a threat of continued discharge of oil from these wells into the navigable waters of West Virginia.