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Lunar Oil Spill - UCGPE25602

 
Site Contact:
Nicolas Brescia
OSC

(brescia.nicolas@epa.gov)

Site Location:
Okemah, OK 74859
 response.epa.gov/LunarOilSpill
NRC#: 1416165

On November 12, 2024, at 11:28 AM, the EPA was notified by the National Response Center of a discharge of crude oil from an aboveground storage tank at a Lunar Investments Inc. facility (Responsible Party), located near Okemah, Okfuskee County, Oklahoma. The spill resulted from a suspected overflow of an open-top aboveground storage tank, which released crude oil into secondary containment. The crude oil breached the secondary containment, and an unknown amount entered an unnamed creek (C1) that flows into another unnamed creek (C2). C2 is classified as Waters of the United States (WOTUS). The Oklahoma Corporation Commission estimated the total release to be approximately 100 barrels of crude oil, of which an estimated 60 to 80 barrels entered the creeks. An estimated 0.5 miles of the waterway was impacted by the discharge. The distance from the tank battery to where the creek enters Okemah Lake is approximately 1.2 miles.

During the initial cleanup action conducted by the RP and their environmental contractors, the EPA was informed that the RP lacked the funding to continue cleanup actions at the site. As a result, the EPA has assumed control of the cleanup efforts. On November 15, 2024, EPA’s technical assistance contractor (START) and primary cleanup contractor (ERRS) were activated and mobilized to the incident to resume cleanup activities. Initial booms were deployed to limit the migration of crude oil further down C2 and allow for recovery. The EPA used vacuum trucks to remove bulk crude oil from the surface of the creeks. For hard-to-reach areas, sorbent material was used to remove the oil. Following severe weather, EPA recovered all absorbent materials and absorbent boom from the creeks.

The Muscogee (Creek) Nation, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, and the EPA established Unified Command to manage the response in accordance with the National Contingency Plan. EPA is conducting recovery efforts at the tank battery and in the affected creeks, including removing impacted soil, applying absorbent materials, and deploying additional soft and hard booms to address potential rain impacts. Recovery operations also include the use of a vacuum truck to extract oil-water mixtures and a water truck to flush the creek. To protect the City of Okemah’s public water intake at Okemah Lake, the EPA has deployed protective booms by boat as a precautionary measure.

All recoverable oil has been successfully removed from the creeks, and Okemah Lake has been thoroughly assessed and confirmed to be free of any oil contamination. Protective booms deployed at the City of Okemah's have been removed from the public water intake. While unrecoverable sheen may be observed due to residual oil in the environment, all response objectives have been met, marking the conclusion of the active response phase.

Oklahoma Corporation Commission will continue to work with the responsible party on any remaining tank battery issues.

Click here to view the StoryMap.


A view of the water intake at Lake Okemah following the removal of the hard boom. Unnamed Creek 2 following the severe rain event. Trace amounts of unrecoverable sheen were observed along the banks of the creek. Sheen was observed at the entry to water location. Soil near the entry to water location and the tank battery was excavated. EPA will continue to remediate the soil in the area. The EPA team observing boom and water conditions at the water intake in Lake Okemah. Oil observed in the secondary containment of the tank battery. Unnamed Creek 2 following the severe rain event. Trace amounts of unrecoverable sheen were observed along the banks of the Unnamed Creek 2 (C2). A view of hard boom conditions located along Unnamed Creek 2 (C2) following severe weather. EPA collected and removed soiled materials from the creek. The EPA team collecting and disposing of soiled materials from Unnamed Creek 2. EPA team conducting boat operations on Lake Okemah. EPA conducting boat operations near public swimming area. No sheen or oil was observed. The EPA observing hard boom and water conditions at the water intake in Lake Okemah. EPA team conducting spot checks in Unnamed Creek 2. EPA team conducting spot checks at the mouth of Unnamed Creek 2. Mouth of Unnamed Creek 2. EPA team observing water conditions at the mouth of Unnamed Creek 2 (C2). EPA Team observing water conditions in Lake Okemah. No crude oil or sheen observed near the shoreline of the residential property on the northern shoreline of the mouth of Unnamed Creek 2. EPA team conducting spot checks near the southern shoreline of the mouth of Unnamed Creek 2. Public fishing pier on Lake Okemah, no crude oil or sheen observed. Photograph taken facing northwest at the mouth of Unnamed Creed 2 after the storms. Hard boom placed around the water intake on Lake Okemah. Photograph taken at the end of the dike on Lake Okemah. Photograph taken from pier near public boat ramp at Lake Okemah after storms. EPA deployed hard and sorbent booms downstream of the affected creek areas ahead of the upcoming storms. EPA continues to collect and dispose of oil covered waste and used personal protective equipment (PPE) at the site. Oil observed along Unnamed Creek 2. The bulk amount of oil was removed from the tank battery's secondary containment. EPA will continue to remediate the soil in the area. After the removal of the earthen dam in Unnamed Creek 1, water carried oil to the confluence, where it was collected and removed. EPA deployed hard and sorbent booms downstream of the affected creek areas ahead of the upcoming storms. EPA continues to remove oil from the creek using sorbent materials and a leaf blower. EPA placed poly sheeting over oil contaminated soil, directly down gradient of the tank battery. EPA Mobile Command Post on site providing workspace for EPA, START, and ERRS ERRS removing crude oil from secondary containment at the tank battery Absorbent Pad application in creek. ERRS deploying absorbents to pooled oil areas Impacted creek area with absorbents Impacted creek area with absorbents11/16/2024 Oil observed in Unnamed Creek 1, directly upstream of the confluence of Unnamed Creek 2. The EPA team continuing cleanup efforts at the confluence of the Unnamed Creek 1 and Unnamed Creek 2. A frac tank being placed into secondary containment at the site. The frac tank will be used to hold oil and water collected from the creeks. Oil observed submerged beneath the water's surface. Oil observed on the ground directly down gradient of the tank battery. EPA excavated oil impacted soil around the tank battery and directly down gradient of the tank battery. During the remediation of the creeks, oily waste will be removed to a proper disposal facility. Oil being removed from the tank battery's secondary containment. EPA contractors removing oil from Unnamed Creek 2 using sorbent pads. The EPA team conducting a health and safety meeting prior to cleanup activities on the site. START filling in dashboard data points along Unnamed Creek 2. Sorbent boom and sorbent pads deployed along Unnamed Creek 2. Sorbent boom and sorbent pads deployed along Unnamed Creek 2. Sorbent pads deployed along Unnamed Creek 2. Sorbent boom deployed along Unnamed Creek 2. Earthen dam upstream of the confluence between Unnamed Creek 1 and Unnamed Creek 2. Photo facing east towards Unnamed Creek 1 and of low water crossing entering site. Facing east towards the origin of discharge. Facing north towards the origin of discharge. Facing west from the origin of discharge.