United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region VI
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

The Lewis & Lambert Pump Co., LLC - James M Francois abandoned oil production facility (EPA ID 01-E-1030) was referred to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on June 10, 2006, by the State of Louisiana to be considered for Oil Pollution Act (OPA) response actions.  This facility is located in Tepetate Oil and Gas Field (Field ID: 8876), approximately 4 miles south-southeast of Basile, Louisiana in Section 022, Township 07 South, Range 02 West (Sec 022, T07S, R02W) of Acadia Parish.  The facility is accessed from the north by an unnamed dirt oilfield road that is off of Moulin Road.

The facility serviced five production wells and one salt water disposal (SWD) well, identified as: James M Francois Well No.001 (SN 204452), James M Francois Well No.002 (SN 205244), James M Francois Well No.003 (SN 206279), James M Francois Well No.004 (SN 206280), James M Francois Well No.005 (SN 207038) and James M Francois SWD Well No.001 (SN 105953).  Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR) records list all of these wells as orphaned.

One potential oil spill source area was identified on this site from the LDNR orphan inspection records.  Source 1 consisted of four above ground storage tanks (AST), one secondary containment area (CONT), and an unspecified number of heater treaters (HT) and separators (S), which were associated with SN 105953 and located at Latitude 30.429315 North and Longitude 92.557028 West.

The facility was visited on August 7, 2006 and a site reconnaissance was conducted at that time.  LDNR Conservation Enforcement Specialist (CES), Joe Durham, provided access to conduct on-site activities.  During the reconnaissance, the general condition of the facility and containers was evaluated to determine the volume of oil and oil emulsion present, and a preliminary assessment of substantial threat to navigable waters of the United States was documented using revised EPA Region 6 protocols.  

Determination of Threat

LDNR records indicate the contents of the surface components consist of non-hazardous oilfield waste (NOW) in the form of oil, oil-emulsion, and/or oily produced water which meets the definition of "oil" as defined by Section 1001(23) of OPA, 33 United States Code (U.S.C.) § 2701(23).  

The condition of the components at Source 1 was evaluated and documented.  No oil was noted on the ground and secondary containment measures appeared adequate, although the area surrounding the containers was significantly overgrown with vegetation, indicating a lack of maintenance.

Although this facility has deficiencies based on information gathered during the site reconnaissance, the FOSC has determined that this site does not meet the revised Region 6 substantial threat criteria at this time.  No further action will be taken by the FOSC at this time; however, if site conditions change significantly, the FOSC may re-visit the site.  

The site will be referred back to LDNR with the FOSC's determination.

None

No additional funding will be required above the initial project ceiling; however, some additional costs will be incurred to complete the project close out.  The FOSC anticipates that all close out activities for this facility will be completed by October 2006.

The site reconnaissance file (SRF), which includes the United States Geological Survey (USGS) National Hydrography Data Set (NHD) Drainage Map, and the FOSC Minimum Threshold Checklist are available on the epaosc.net website as uploaded documents.

SRF and Checklist: https:// www.epaosc.net/FPNE06640