On March 12, 2008, EPA OSC Robert Wise, START and SBCo Petroleum visited the Greka Oil and Gas Williams B Lease Tank Farm. The Williams B Tank Farm is an idle tank farm that was never brought into service by Greka. The tank farm consists of six 10,000 gallon above ground storage tanks (ASTs), two 10,000 gallon Baker tanks, a horizontal heater treater and a vertical heater treater. There was no secondary containment around the tank farm. The tank farm is bordered on the west by a wash that drains into Cat Canyon Creek. To the north of the site is Cat Canyon Creek. Cat Canyon Creek drains to Sisquoc Creek, which drains to the Santa Maria River, which drains to the Pacific Ocean.
With the exception of horizontal heater treater all of the tanks contained petroleum material (liquid oil, oily sludge, oil water or oily tank bottoms). All tanks except for the horizontal heater treater were actively leaking in multiple places. The ground around the six 10,000 gallon ASTs was heavily saturated with oil. The ASTs were missing man way covers, heavily corroded, and full of holes. Several of the ASTs were also missing tops. The vertical heater treater was actively leaking through a valve in the tank. The horizontal 10,000 gallon Baker tanks contained a heavy asphaltic oil material and possibly water. One tank contained oily sludge approximately three feet from the bottom. This tank was heavily corroded above the oil line, had numerous holes, was open on the top, and was bulging on the ends and sides. The second horizontal tank was 3/4 full and had a thick oil pad on the surface.
On March 19, 2008, OSC Wise issued a Clean Water Act 311(c) order to Greka for the William B Tank Farm. The Order directs Greka to remove the oil from the tanks, demolish the tanks and remove soil contamination to a depth of three feet bgs.
8/4/08 - 8/8/08:
Work Performed:
• Site preparation tasks were performed on 8/4/08. A reconnaissance of the Williams B site was conducted and determined that weed abatement was necessary.
• Hydraulic chisel was used to sheer tanks A-F to fluid levels, remove stock tank ring with long excavator arm, fold tank ring and place into salvage bin.
• Plate bolts were soaked on Stock Tanks A, B, & D.
• The heavy equip was verified to be in operational order.
• Roustabout crew was scheduled for work at the site as well as onsite water truck.
• Fire prevention/weed abatement continued.
• Equipment continued to be prepped.
• Onsite safety officer conducted safety meetings and reviewed Work Plan and HASP with staff.
• Metal Plates were removed from Stock Tanks A, B, & D.
• Demolition began of Stock Tanks “A & B” with hydraulic ripper, tank “A & B” were cut @ 3’ft level, tank rings were removed with excavator arm and secured for salvage bins. Cutting stock tanks continued.
• Demo notification was delivered to APCD
• APCD inspector conducted an inspection of the project. At Stock Tanks, inspector found a small amount of 2” asbestos wicks used as tank wedge. It was noted that this asbestos was not reported in the asbestos inspection reports. APCD inspector determined that there was not enough asbestos to notify or stop demolition by APCD.
• APCD inspector also reviewed Work Plan containing: (1) the asbestos inspection reports; (2) asbestos analytical reports; and (3) Notice of Violation. APCD received APCD app, EPA N.O.V., 2 e- mail transmittals, and 2 checks totaling $460.12.
Analytical Data Received:
• It was determined that re-sampling of the stock tank A, B, D solids not necessary.
• Geologist had indicated solids in tanks A,B & D contained low level PCBs. (This information corrected later in the week. PCB's were found in Baker Tanks A & B, not stock tanks A & B.)
• Verified with Santa Maria landfill that the low PCB levels in tank solids reported by lab were acceptable to SMLF for disposal of Slug. (This is no longer of issue since the low level PCB's were actually in the solids from Baker tanks A & B.
Treatment and Disposal Information:
• DOGGR approved injection at Bell of materials from heater treater, sand separator and Baker Tank A.
• Initiated preparation for re- sampling of tanks A, B, & D, disposal of slug to Santa Maria Landfill.
• Reviewed CUPA approval of analytical data for on site management of tank contents. Prepared roll-off bins for disposal of slug. Will transport non-haz via end-dump truck.
• Earlier in the week, had not received approval of analytical reports from Steve Lowe for the management of tank contents onsite. Steve Lowe has verbally provided approval to start demolition project; however, Steve Lowe instructed not to remove fluids from tanks.
• Later in the week, Steve Lowe approved analytical report and advised clear to transport fluids. Work Order issued for vacuum truck. Demolition suspended until fluids in stock tanks are removed by vacuum truck.
• Salvage bins onsite, stock tank “A” crushed into small ball & placed in salvage bin. Stock Tank “B” secured for next salvage bin.
8/11/08 - 8/14/08:
Work Performed:
• Roustabouts continued fire prevention tasks along with site clean up.
• Tank crew prepared center ring bolts for removal of Stock Tank D.
• Outside contractor provided vacuum truck services for removal of fluids from Stock Tank B, C, D and Baker Tank B. Fluids from Baker Tank B were delivered to Hopkins Tank #1.
• Bob Tull to prepare liquid manifests.
• Tank solids from Stock Tanks A, B and E are being prepared for offsite profiling and disposal.
• Daily site reconnaissance and safety meetings were conducted by Jim Mondy, Site Health/Safety Manager. Safety Manager Mondy reviewed Work Plan and HASP with staff.
• Stock Tank A solids profiled for offsite disposal.
• Center ring from Stock Tanks E and F removed in preparation for demolition.
• Water truck made two to three passes through the site each day for dust suppression.
• Jason Musante, EPA OSC, conducted site inspection on August 14, 2008.
• Steve Lowe, Santa Barbara CUPA, conducted an on site inspection on Tuesday, August 12, 2008. No violations were noted.
Analytical Data Received:
• Analytical data of tank solids provided to Santa Maria Landfill.
• Initiated profiling of tank solids for disposal at landfill.
Treatment and Disposal Information:
• Outside contractor provided vacuum truck services. Bob Tull documenting onsite injection through preparation of manifests.
• Initiated profiling of Stock Tank A solids for disposal at Santa Maria Landfill.
• Bob Tull requested Danny Mead, Production Manager, to examine characteristics of Crude in Stock Tanks D, C, & F for potential re-use.
The Final Work Plan has been posted to the Documents section of the website. Planned removal actions include:
• Conduct pre-demolition permitting and characterization.
• Remove contents of the six ASTs, two Baker tanks, and two heater treaters.
• Demolish, transport, and dispose of the tanks.
• Excavate contaminated soil beneath the tanks and in other parts of the Site, and
backfill the completed excavations with clean imported soil.
• Transport and dispose of the tank contents and soil from excavation.
• Conduct post-removal sampling to confirm the cleanup of affected areas.
• Evaluate the two onsite production wells to determine if they pose a threat of
discharge, and to make repairs as necessary.
• Remove all fluids via vac truck for injection.
• Solids not otherwise injected are to be removed from tanks and placed in bins for offsite disposal.
• Complete stock tank demolition.
• Solids are to be profiled for landfill acceptance. Confirm with Steve Lowe permissible concentrations of PCBs for disposal at Santa Maria landfill.
Problems Encountered:
• Not all Signs Posted. Held crew meeting at Project Trailer (6801 Palmer Ave); Open discussion regarding signs, weed abatement, roustabout crew, equipment inventory, APCD notification.
• Fire extinguishers were removed from the site over the weekend. Replacement fire extinguishers were procured.
• Greka end dump not available for use at Williams B. Outside contractor services are being procured.
• Fluids in Stock Tanks C and D were composed of very heavy crude. Solution: Bob Tull will order Hot Water truck to deliver hot water to thin crude for vacuum truck removal.
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