The site is a tank battery owned by Clayton Williams Energy, Inc and located on the Nigliazzo-Scarmardo #1 lease in Hearne, Robertson County, Texas at the junction of FM 50 and Watts Lane.
On May 13, the Hearne area received in upwards of 17 inches of rainfall which flooded the area including the tank battery. The spill was identified at 1:55 pm on May 14 and EPA received notification of the spill at approximately 2:30 pm. The original report estimated the volume of the release between 20 and 180 barrels.
The RP and its contractors have completed containment of the spill utilizing boom and by filling the tank with water reducing any further release of oil from the tank.
The water level around the tank remains high and makes it difficult to locate the release point on the tank. All valves that have been identified have been closed. The boat survey and aerial overflight of the area revealled some oil contamianted debris south of the tank battery. The oiled debris is contained within fence lines and is currently unrecoverable. Once the water recedes that area will be assessed.
The remaining objectives are to insure any release remains secured. The continued plan is to keep boom up around the tank battery until the water level recedes enough to pump out the secondary containment. In addition, water will continue to be added to the leaking tank until the tank can be assessed and leaking can be stopped.
The next steps are to continue to monitor for and control any release of oil from the tank battery until such time tanks can be properly accessed for repair or adequately secured. In addition, the oiled debris will be assessed and a remediation plan will be developed.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and EPA conducted an overflight of the flooded area courtesy of the Texas Department of Public Safety. The overflight identified the oily debris associated with this spill. The RP surveyed the area on 5/16/04 and will develop plans to address once the water recedes.
EPA demobed on 5/16/04 as the Texas Railroad Commission continues to provide State oversight of the response activities. No further EPA response activities are expected.
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