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The Site consists of nine (9) presumed abandoned oil wells. These wells are located in the stream or flood plan leading to the Hughes River. There is evidence that these wells have been releasing oil into the stream during rain events and will continue to do so if not properly addressed.
a. On May 10 and 11, 2005, OSC Kelly, START Contractor and WVDEP Office of Oil and Gas visited the Site to observe if any or all were discharging oil into the waters of West Virginia.
b. The team visited all the wells and observed the following:
Well #1 was observed about 20 yards from the Hughes River. Though the well was on the banks of the river, it was evident that the river rises and meets the well. The OSC did not observe any signs of discharge from this well into the river.
Well #1a was observed about 10 yards from an unnamed tributary leading to the Hughes River. There was evidence that a liquid was in the pipe about 10 feet into the pipe. Again, the OSC did not see any evidence that there has been a discharge from the well.
Well #2 is located on the edge of the Hughes River. It sits about 10 feet in the air from the rivers bottom. Again, the OSC did not see any evidence of discharge from the well into the river though there was a sheen in the river that could have been from a discharge upstream but was unfounded.
Well #3 was found in the unnamed tributary leading to the Big Island Run. The tributary was dry and the OSC did not see any evidence of discharge. It may be possible that a discharge occurs during a rise in the tributary waters during a rain event.
Well #4 was also found in the unnamed tributary leading to the Big Island Run. The OSC did not observe any evidence of a recent discharge though it is possible that a discharge occurs during a rise in the tributary waters during a rain event.
Well #5, also is the unnamed tributary leading to the Big Island Run, did not exhibit any evidence of a discharge. Again, due to the location of the well in the tributary, it may be possible that a discharge occurs during a rain event.
Well #6, also in the unnamed tributary leading to the Big Island Run, did not exhibit any evidence of a discharge but did, however, have a strong oil odor discharging from it. It, also, may discharge during a rain event.
Well #7 is located in the Big Island Run. It is standing up an estimated 4 feet in the water. The OSC did not observed any evidence of a discharge.
Well #8 is also located in the Rig Island Run. It also stands about 4 feet on the banks of Big Island. The OSC did not observe any evidence of a discharge.
a. The OSC is not planning any removal actions on these wells at this time. The OSC requested that WVDEP visit the wells during or after a rain event and document a release into the waters.
b. The OSC has received all Responsible Party (RP) Searches and Deeds of the properties and once there is a documented release of oil into the waters, he will take proper actions to notify the RP and request immediate actions be taken to eliminate the release. If the RP fails to take actions, the OSC will issue a PRFA to the State to take actions.
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