On February 26, 2007, Benson-Montin-Greer Drilling (BMG) reported an estimated 200-barrel (bbl) crude oil spill to the National Response Center (827552). The spill is located in a remote area in northern New Mexico within the Santa Fe National Forest in Rio Arriba County. The oil spill occurred when a buried, 4-inch crude gathering pipeline began leaking underneath the bank of Arroyo Puerto Chiquito, then discharged directly into the arroyo. Arroyo Puerto Chiquito is a tributary of Rio Chama, which flows into the Rio Grande.
Nine days have past since the discovery of the spill by BMG employees. Site work has progressed slowly due to lack of resources obtained by the RP, and icy, snowy and muddy conditions in the arroyo. Recent attempts to hire an OSRO by BMG have failed, although new attempts to do so have been successful. Also, EPA observed that workers were previously not employing standard techniques for waste minimalization. However, BMG workers have constructed two underflow dams, one at the midpoint and one the end of the spill. After advisement by the OSC, BMG also installed separate sets of absorbent boom and hay bales in three locations at the downstream distal end of the spill to prevent further downstream migration. In addition, after advisement of the OSC, workers excavated the pipeline spill site to find the breakpoint, clamped the leak and began excavation of the impacted soils in the leak area.
The arroyo remains heavily oiled throughout much of the upper reaches, with small pools of free oil and heavily saturated grasses. The ice and snow that initially covered much of the spill has largely melted, increasing water flow through the arroyo. This increased volume is helping flush oil to pick-up points.
On March 5, 2007, OSC Franklin along with representatives from USFS met with BMG president Mike Dimond to discuss progress and expectations of the EPA in accordance with the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). Mr. Dimond agreed to hire an OSRO contractor immediately to facilitate a more proficient and expeditious cleanup of the impacted arroyo. After the meeting, Mr. Dimond hired OSRO contractor Red J Environmental to provide technical avisory and resource support. After a discussion on observed deficiencies in work practices, BMG has committed to correct site safety practices and provide a site health and safety plan to EPA for review.
On March 6, 2007, BMG workers continued to excavate soils from the area immediately around the pipeline breakpoint. Soils will be staged and then transported to BMG's landfarm when road conditions improve. Landfarm operations will be conducted under the State of New Mexico Oil Conservation Division (OCD) oversight. BMG also made improvements to the two underflow dams because of rising water levels due to snowmelt and soil washing activities. Three vacuum trucks were staged at various oil collection points along the spill pathway.
On March 7, 2007, RED J Environmental representative, Mr. Moots, will perform a site walk-through. BMG work crews will continue to excavate around the area of the pipeline. BMG will also vacuum oil and oily water from underflow dam collection points, remove contaminated vegetation and the thin layer of contaminated soil on the private land along the spill pathway. BMG will conduct high volume, low pressure soil washing on the National Forest land. Under advisement from the archeological consultant, all work will be conducted in and restricted to a 100-foot radius of the arroyo to prevent damage to any potential historical sites in the area.
EPA will continue to advise and coordinate with BMG representatives, the USFS, USFW, and archeological consultants to ensure timely and appropriate cleanup actions in the sensitive area. At the request of the EPA OSC, the USFS will provide regular site visits to assist with oversight.
A crude oil spill discharged in a wetland type of arroyo, which flows to the Chama River and through the Jicarilla Apache Reservation. The arroyo remains heavily oiled. The spill is one of three spills from the same pipeline into the same arroyo. BMG work has previously been slow and often inefficient. HOwever, lack of readily obtainable resources, as well as melting ice, snow and muddy conditions have also made response efforts difficult.
The site is located in a wetland area that appears to be teeming with wildlife (elk, bear, coyotes, rabbits, birds, etc.). The area is known for having an abundance of archeological sites.
The USFS has concerns about removal of arroyo soils (and vegetation) which are very sensitive and are not easily replaced through natural processes.
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