Site consists of one (1) well that has discharge oil into the Rush Run Creek which leads into the Little Kanawha River.
a. On July 20, 2004, David Belcher of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Oil and Gas reported this Site to the NRC (Incident Report #728900) and requested EPA assistance in plugging these wells.
b. On July 21, 2004, OSC Bob Kelly met with Mr. Belcher and visited the Site.
c. OSC Kelly did not have written access from the property owners but received verbal access.
d. OSC Kelly observed 1 well approximately 20 feet from the Rush Run Creek which had evidence of a discharge into the tributary.
e. OSC Kelly questioned Mr. Belcher on land ownership and was told that this land was recently purchased by a Mr. Richard Fisher and he had no knowledge of the well being on his land. Mr. Belcher went on to say that this well was turned in by a neighbor who noticed a sheen in the tributary and followed the sheen back this location. Furthermore, Mr. Belcher stated that initial investigation uncovered the last operator to be a Mr. Willie E. King (deceased) and the last drill permit was issued in the 1950's. OSC Kelly noticed that there was no well casing in the well, just an open hole. It appears that a timber cutter knocked off the well bore.
f. OSC Kelly determined that there was a threat of release and the well needed to be plugged. OSC Kelly questioned Mr. Belcher on the availability of getting a contractor on Site to address the situation. Mr. Belcher stated that he could not have anyone on Site for a least five weeks. OSC Kelly determined that, at a minumin, temporary containment needs to be installed to prevent any more discharges.
g. OSC Kelly, using CANAPS, obtained funding in the amount of $10,000, $5000 of which will be issued to the Office of Oil and Gas to provide temporary containment, obtain a survey and get all permits in advance of plugging these wells. Additionally, OSC issued a TDD to START contractor (EnE) to perform a Deed and Title Search to determine if there is a Responsible Party for these wells and giving them Notice of Federal Interest prior to the Federal government incurring costs in plugging these wells. (FPN E04317).
OSC Kelly created a web site for this Site at www.epaosc.net/nichols
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