1.1.1 Incident Category

 Minor discharge of crude oil from an orphan well at an abandoned on-shore production facility ("WARRANT 3739 WELL") with a continued substantial threat of discharge into or upon the navigable waters of the United States (Cooks Run).   Cooks Run, an Exceptional Value stream and a Pennsylvania Wild Trout Waters (Natural Reproduction), is a tributary to the West Branch Susquehanna River. 

1.1.2 Site Description

  The Warrant 3739 Well is an orphan well at an abandoned on-shore production facility. 

1.1.2.1 Location

The Warrant 3739 Well is located in Sproul State Forest, East Keating Twp., Clinton Co., PA  and is situated approximately eighty (80) feet upgradient of the left-descending shoreline of Cooks Run.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Warrant 3739 Well is an abandoned (orphan) on-shore production facility, comprised of one (1) well, located in the Sproul State Forest and is situated approximately eighty (80) feet upgradient of the left-descending shoreline of Cooks Run.  Cooks Run, an Exceptional Value stream and a Pennsylvania Wild Trout Waters (Natural Reproduction), is a tributary to the West Branch Susquehanna River.  The well was apparently drilled, plugged and abandoned prior to the acquisition of the surface by DCNR in 1949.  At some point in time, the well went artesian, discharging water and carrying a sheen to Cooks Run. PADER inspection reports, dated 03/27/1991 and 06/01/1992, document the observation of discharge(s) of oil into Cooks Run.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

On 07/22/2016, and 08/09/2016, the OSC continued preliminary assessment with on-site investigations   Based upon the OSCs observations, an unknown quantity of crude oil had discharged from the orphan well, flowed overland, down-gradient, directly into Cooks Run and its adjoining shorelines.    The OSC determined that the on-shore facility continued to pose a substantial threat to discharge crude oil into the navigable waters of the U.S. (Cooks Run) in absence of continued removal activities.

2.1.1 Narrative

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

On 07/06/2016, PADEP-OGMP implemented defensive actions and photo-documented conditions on-site.

On 07/19/2016, PADEP-OGMP notified the National Response Center (NRC) and NRC #1153782 was assigned to the incident.  In follow-up to the NRC Report, the OSC continued with the preliminary assessment including but not necessarily limited to the following actions: using available information, supplemented by an on-scene inspection, evaluated the magnitude and severity of the discharge; assessed the feasibility of removal; continued efforts to the extent practicable, to identify potentially responsible parties; determined whether a state or political subdivision thereof had the capability to carry out any or all removal actions (if so, the OSC may arrange funding to support these actions); and ensured prompt notification of the trustees of affected natural resources in accordance with the applicable RCP and ACP.

07/22/19, the OSC met PADEP-OGMP on-site, continued preliminary assessment.  The OSC observed and photo-documented the discharge of crude oil from the abandoned on-shore facility, determined the incident met the criteria for funding under a federal removal action (PFRA) or otherwise reimbursement via the Claims process.   The OSC to continue to monitor the situation.  PADEP-OGMP to continue to maintain defensive actions and assist the OSC with efforts to identify potentially responsible parties pending OSC’s availability to conduct on-site assessment. 

08/09/2016, the OSC met with PADEP-OGMP and DCNR on-site, continued preliminary assessment, and discussed removal funding options (PRFA and Claims process) and the Natural Resources Damage Assessment (NRDA) process.  PADEP-OGMP to consider conducting the removal action under a PRFA.  PADEP-OGMP to pass information along to the State Natural Resources Trustee for consideration of a NRDA. 

On 08/09/2016, the OSC accessed CANAPS and obtained an initial project ceiling of $50,000 to continue removal assessment (e.g. feasibility of removal action); continue maintenance of defensive actions to mitigate the effects of a discharge and of the substantial threat of discharge of an unknown quantity of crude oil onto the adjoining shorelines of and into Cooks Run; continue efforts to the extent practicable to identify PRPs; continue efforts to the extent practicable to identify and provide the RP an opportunity to voluntarily and promptly perform removal actions; and/or in absence of a RR, conduct the removal actions necessary to mitigate the effects of a discharge and of the substantial threat of discharge of crude oil onto the adjoining shorelines of and into Cooks Run.

PADEP-OGMP to enhance and continue to maintain defensive actions and arrange for the removal of the discharge, and mitigate or prevent a substantial threat of a discharge, including but not necessarily limited to plugging the abandoned (orphan) well. 

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

In accordance with the requirements of the NCP, the OSC, to the extent practicable, continues efforts to identify potentially responsible parties and provide the responsible party an opportunity to voluntarily and promptly perform removal actions.

In accordance with the definitions of Responsible Party found at Section 1001 of OPA, efforts to to identify the persons owning or operating the onshore facility, and/or those persons who would have been responsible parties, immediately prior to the abandonment of the facility continue.

The OSC’s efforts to identify potentially responsible parties included evaluating if the current surface or landowner(s), the current OGM rights owner(s) and/or any other person was the current owner/operator of the onshore production facility.  

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

The OSC anticipates finalizing the PRFA to PADEP-OGMP with an initial ceiling of $25,000 to continue removal assessment (e.g. feasibility of removal action); continue maintenance of defensive actions to mitigate the effects of a discharge and of the substantial threat of discharge of an unknown quantity of crude oil onto the adjoining shorelines of and into Cooks Run; continue efforts to the extent practicable to identify PRPs; continue efforts to the extent practicable to identify and provide the RP an opportunity to voluntarily and promptly perform removal actions; and/or in absence of a RP, conduct the removal actions necessary to mitigate the effects of a discharge and of the substantial threat of discharge of an unknown quantity of crude oil onto the adjoining shorelines of and into Cooks Run.

2.5.1 Safety Officer

Vincent Zenone, OSC

2.5.2 Liaison Officer

2.5.3 Information Officer

3.1 Unified Command

EPAR3

PADEP-OGMP

DCNR

3.2 Cooperating Agencies