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Site is located at Hughes River Public Hunting in Ritchie County, WV. Well is in the flood plain of the stream leading to the Little Kanawha River.
A. On January 24, 2004, West Virginia Office of Oil and Gas Inspector Dave Belcher reported to the National Response Center that he had discovered an abandoned well that was discharging oil onto the ground and into the Bufflo Run Tributary leading to the Little Kanawha River. He requested that an On-Scene Coordinator from Region 3 contact him and provide assistance.
B. OSC Bob Kelly contacted Mr. Belcher and was told that the State has taken immediate action by placing absorbent pads in the triburtary and cleaning up around the well head. He explained that the State did not have the funding to address the plugging of the well and was asking for EPA assistance in getting these funds.
C. OSC Kelly questioned Mr. Belcher on responsible party and was told that he believes this is a pre-1929 well and there was no responsible party. OSC Kelly requested that Mr. Belcher provide him with a cost estimate, State Inspection Report and any photos taken of the well in order to make a determination if it meets the criteria to issue OPA funds.
C. On January 26, 2004, OSC Kelly received all the requested documentation from Mr. Belcher. OSC Kelly reviewed the documents and photos and determined that there was on on-going release of oil into the waters of West Virgina and immediate action was needed to stop the release.
D. OSC Kelly, using the CANAPS system, requested funding in the amount of $70,000 to address the plugging of the well. The OSC issued a PRFA in the amount of $63,000 to the State. The remaining $7,000 is to cover START and EPA Costs.
E. On February 26, 2004, The OSC issued the PRFA and a Statement of Work to the WV Office of Oil and Gas to immediately start taking actions to plug the well.
F. The OSC issued a TDD for START contractor (EnE) to provide written documentation and photo documentation of all on-going activities and to provide the OSC with an After Action Report for cost reimbursement to the State.
G. From March 1, 2004 to March 3, 2004, the West Virginia Office of Oil and Gas completed the necessary paperwork to initiate actions at the Site, i.e. obtaining permit applications, issuing Notice to Proceed to contractor, having the well surveyed.
H. On March 4, 2004, State contractor initiated work at the Site. This work involved building an access road to the well in order to get drill equipment to the well.
The West Virginia Office of Oil and Gas will continue to direct contractor in the plugging of the well.
A. The OSC will visit the Site during the week of March 8, 2004 to observe site activities.
Oil discharging into the waters of West Virginia.
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