Site consists of one (1) well that has discharged oil into the Rush Run Creek which leads into the Little Kanawha River. The leaking well was reported to the NRC on July 20, 2004, by WVDEP Belcher. OSC Kelly was escorted by WVDEP Belcher the following day and observed evidence of an oil discharge into the Rush Run Creek tributary. OSC Kelly issued a PRFA in the amount of $5,000 to provide a survey for the well and provide temporary containment of the release.
WVDEP investigated ownership of the well and determined that the owner of the well was deceased. The title documentation was provided to USCG for a potential PRP investigation.
a. On November 15, 2004, WVDEP met with its plugging contractor and escorted them to the well site. The contractor began to construct access to the well. The following day, the contractor completed site construction and mobilized the rig to the site.
b. On November 17, 2004, the plugging contractor rigged up on the well and checked the well T.D. at 175'.
c. On November 18 and 19, 2004, the plugging contractor utilized a power swivel and various sized drill bits in an attempt to clean out the wellbore. A depth of 193' was reached.
d. Between November 29 to December 1, 2004, the contractor attempted to drill into the wellbore but could not achieve a depth greater than 193'. On December 1, 2004, WVDEP directed the contractor to cement the wellbore to the surface.
e. On December 2, 2004, the contractor set the monument on the well. WVDEP's disposal contractor hauled away gel from the site. The plugging contractor worked on sediment control at the site. Due to poor weather conditions and heavy mud along the access road to the site, WVDEP determined that reclamation would be completed in the spring. The plugging rig, mud pump, and bulldozer were demobilized from the site.
f. On December 3, 2004, the contractor's excavator was demobilized from the site.
WVDEP and its contractor plan to remobilize to the Nichols Well Site in the spring to complete remediation activities.
Following remediation activities at the site, WVDEP will submit the final cost documentation to the OSC and START. START will complete an After Action Report for the site and submit it to OSC Kelly for review. Following approval, the documentation will be submitted to the USCG for reimbursement of funds to WVDEP. Following reimbursement of funds to WVDEP, no further EPA actions are anticipated.
The discharge of oil from the well at the site has been remediated. However, remediation of the area surrounding the formerly leaking well must be completed.
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