At approximately 6:30 am, Wednesday, March 19th, the Partin No. 5 Oil Well caught fire during drilling operations northwest of Oliver Springs, Tenn. Apparently, a large zone of natural gas was hit and the blow out preventer failed resulting in a substantial fire and release of approximately 2000 barrels of crude oil to a secondary retention pond. According to TDEC a small amount of crude oil found its way to an unnamed tributary of Indian Creek. Local fire and hazmat arrived on scene, placed boom at several locations along the creek, and evacuated a few homes in the vicinity of the well. The responsible party, Walden Resources has hired Wild Well Services of Houston,Texas to assess and extinguish the fire at the well head. The OSC continues to work within a unified command structure with the local EMA coordinator, TDEC and TEMA. EPA, with START contractor support, will conduct air monitoring and site oversight as needed throughout the response.
Walden Resources contractor, Wild Well Services continued mobing equipment from local sources and Texas to prepare for oil rig extraction as well as extinguishing the fire at the oil well head. Several acres of land near the perimeter of the well were cleared and secondary retention ponds were being built. A large amount of fire-fighting water will be required to gain access to the well head and eventual fire extinguishing. Once the fire is extinguished, the retention ponds will serve as secondary oil and water recovery points.
Anderson County EMA, TDEC, TEMA and EPA continue to work with the rp in a unified structure to facilitate the response effort. EPA delivered a Notice of Federal Interest to the RP, who stated that he had sufficient liability insurance to cover the cost of the clean up. EPA and START contractors continue air monitoring efforts. No elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide, volatile organics or sulfur dioxide have been found in the vicinity of the well fire. EPA’s Chuck Eger arrived on site to provide technical assistance during response efforts. EPA’s CIC Sheryl Carbonaro is expected on Friday to assist with local media as well as daily briefings with local residents. Media interest remains high.
Currently, Wild Well Services plans on extinguishing the fire on Saturday, March 22nd.
EPA continues to operate in a unified command structure with local EMA, TDEC and TEMA and is providing continuous air monitoring support as well as water sampling analysis as necessary.
Health and Safety for all response personnel especially during and after fire extinguishing efforts at the well head.
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