On August 16th, 2024, PADEP notified the sub-area OSC of a discharge of oil on the shoreline of the Allegheny River in Venango County, Pennsylvania. The sub-area OSC arrived at the location on August 16, 2024 at approximately 19:00 and met with personnel from the PADEP Emergency Response Program, the Sandycreek Fire Department, and the Venango County Emergency Management Agency. Initial responders had installed sorbent boom within the river, along the approximate 200 foot by 10 foot oil stained area of the shoreline. A rainbow sheen was visible contained within the sorbent. Initial responders had dug 3-4 small test pits (1-1.5 feet deep) within the stained area which were filling in with a oil/water mix. The mix appeared to be a weathered, dark oil, potentially crude.
PADEP reported the discharge to the National Response Center, who issued NRC Report 1408175. The EPA Duty Officer determined the need to deploy an EPA On-Scene Coordinator, who met the sub-area On-Scene Coordinator at the site the morning of 8/17/24 when oil was observed on the river contained within the sorbent boom.
EPA activated the ERRS contractor who installed hard boom . ERRS installed hard boom surrounding the release location and are collecting oil from the river. Assessment activities are being conducted by EPA and PADEP to determine the source of the oil discharge.
November 2024 Update
A geophysical survey was performed in October to assist in determining a potential source of the oil discharge to the Allegheny River. The survey identified anomalies which may indicate a potential source of the discharge, these anomalies will be investigated further. EPA ERRS contractors continue to conduct maintenance activities at the site. To date ERRS contractors have recovered approximately 2,200 gallons of oil.
The anomalies identified in the first geophysical survey were excavated in November 2024. The excavations did not locate any former wellheads or potential sources for the discharging oil. EPA is planning additional surveys to locate the source of the oil.
