On August 10, 2008, an oil pipeline failure occurred releasing a calculated 5,790 barrels of Mississippi Sweet Crude Oil in the early morning sometime before 7:30 am. Marathon Pipeline called the National Response Center to report the release. The release is located in a rural area 6 miles east of Fairfield, Illinois in Wayne County. The release area is situated in an open field with some trees surrounding it. Elm Creek and various drainage ditches are located to the southwest and southeast. Elm Creek drains into the Little Wabash River. A slough area and woods are to the east and a cornfield is situated just beyond that. County road 1100 North is to the north and soybean fields beyond that. There are no residences located near the release site, nor within the affected area.
• As of 0900 CST on 21 August 2008, 2213 bbls or approximately 92,946 gallons of oil have been recovered.
• Free product recovery in the old creek beds is complete and the banks have been flushed three times.
• 24 hour operations have ceased; however a 24 hour presence will be maintained.
• Transition to long-term remediation and recovery will commence Friday, August 22nd.
• It is estimated that 5,000 linear feet of the old Elm Creek channel has been affected by the release.
• All the oil/water collected is being transported to the Marathon Pipeline facility in Albion or Robinson, IL.
• The three underflow dams that were constructed downstream just past the booms are being maintained and have been reinforced with concrete matting.
• The impacted soil is excavated and disposed of at the Wayne County Landfill. Approximately 3,535 tons of oil contaminated soil have been disposed of off site.
• Contaminated debris was shipped off-site yesterday when the analytical was recieved. It is also being shipped to the Wayne County Landfill. Approximately 52 tons of debris has been shipped to date.
• The Natural Resource Trustees (USFW and Illinois DNR) continue to coordinate with Marathon to evaluate long term remediation options.
• Marathon remains in contact with the City of Fairfield and the water intake for that City remains boomed as a contingency.
• Interceptor trenches were dug near the release locations to evaluate for subsurface oil migration and soil excavation continues.
• Transition to the long term remediation phase to be led by IEPA.
• Surface water sampling and contaminated soil removal will continue.
• Efficient and timely removal of crude oil and contaminated debris.
• Ensure the backup contingency underflow dams are maintained.
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