As reported in previous POLREPs.
All planned cleanup operations have been completed. Backfilling the land areas trimmed of contaminated ice and tundra with replacement tundra and organic material was completed on April 29, 2006. This was followed by the placement of a layer of snow over the replacement tundra to provide moisture for growth and inhibit early thawing. Final demobilization of spill response and tundra restoration equipment is now occurring.
All planned cleanup operations have been completed and final demobilization of response equipment is occurring. The site will remain in its current state during springtime break-up and over the summer unless conditions indicate the need for further oil cleanup or tundra restoration work. Disposal of contaminated snow, ice and tundra trimmings, and contaminated caribou crossing gravel is complete. Disposal of the recovered crude oil (currently stored in a holding tank) via introduction into on-site oil processing facilities is expected to commence soon now that a definitive oil volume determination is available.
The site will undergo frequent visual monitoring as springtime break-up occurs and throughout the summer, with potential oil sheening, the integrity and re-growth of the backfilled tundra, and wildlife access prevention being primary concerns. Follow-up activities that could occur over this time period include maintenance of the perimeter berms and containment boom, oil sheen removal, or stabilization or growth enhancement of the restored tundra.
The GC2 oil production facility and feeder wells have resumed operation. A temporary bypass transit line has been prepared to handle the flow of oil until the damaged 34" line is operational. Gradual re-start of the GC2 facility began in late March 2006 and oil began flowing in the 24” bypass pipeline on April 2, 2006. This bypass line, once fully operational, will support approximately 80% of the pre-spill GC2 production volume.
Recovered crude oil free-product, collected from the ground by vacuum truck or pump, and oil recovered by melting contaminated snow. 4215.70 bbl (177,059 gal.) Held in tank #1934 at Flow Station 2. 4/25/06 final volume determination = 177,059 gals. Disposal via oilfield processing systems to follow.
Oil-contaminated snow, collected directly off the spill area or generated through the addition of clean snow as an absorbent 9,849 cubic yards This snow was stockpiled at CC-2A pad. It has all been melted by snow melters, with the resulting oil fraction figured into wastestream above.
Snowmelt created through the melting of oil-contaminated snow 11,898 bbl Taken from melters at CC-2A to tank #1934 at FS2 (also holds recovered oil). Some water has been decanted and released into facility treatment system
Oil-contaminated caribou-crossing gravel and contaminated ice and tundra trimmings removed from the impacted tundra and lake. 484 cubic yards gravel; 4,755 cubic yards trimmings Material was stockpiled and processed/disposed of at Drill Site 4's grind and inject facility.
