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(E13611) Exxon Pipeline Mayflower Arkansas Oil Spill

 
Site Contact:
Nicolas Brescia
OSC

(brescia.nicolas@epa.gov)

Site Location:
50 STARLITE
Mayflower, AR 72106
 response.epa.gov/exxonmayflower
NRC#: 1042466/76

On March 29, 2013, ExxonMobil Pipeline reported a release of Wabasca heavy crude oil from a 20” pipeline in Mayflower, Faulkner County, AR to the National Response Center (1042466 and 1042476). Due to elevated VOC readings and due to the amount of oil present on the ground and in the street, 22 homes were evacuated in the North Woods Subdivision. The heavy crude oil released from the damaged pipeline flowed down a residential street, into a bar ditch, into an unnamed creek, and into a tributary to a cove of Lake Conway. The RP is estimating approximately 5,000 bbl of oil have been released.


North Woods Subdivision Starlight street corner near source Oil pathway through North Woods Subdivision, Starlight Street Downgradient of release location between homes Oil impacting residential yard Oil flowing on residential streets Source area Oil impacting residential yard Initial Dam erected to stop flow on East side of I-40 W Oil in unnamed creek connected to cove attached to Lake Conway Oil in unnamed creek on West side of I-40W Culvert and soft boom Residence most prximal to pipelin rupture point -at north Cul-du-sac of Shade Tree land Vac truck puming oil at pipeline rupture location, west of residence at north end of Shadetreee Ln cul-de-sac North Starlight Rd facing east Oil in drainage channel, flowing east from the Northwood SUBDIVISION Berm created in ditch running between Main Street and railroad tracks Oily water breaching berm across ditch running between Main Street and railrad tracks. Oil in Woodlands, approx 100 feet east of I-40. Oil pooling near vac truck pumping location, approx 100 feet east of I-40 Berm and boom across creek, approx 500 feet east of I-40 Underflow dam constructed earlier in morning in response to berm breach overnight, approx 500 feet east of I-40 Hard boom stretched across creek, approx 600 feet east of I-40. Boom is about 1,000 ft west of point where creek flows into the cove. Oil along creek, approx 550 feet east of I-40 Berm breach along creek, approx 450 feet east of I-40. Underflow dam currently under construction. Exxon workers setting up pumpin station. Heavy rainfall created need to pump water across Hwy 89, so that patches place over culverts can remain in place. Exxon workers setting up pumpin station. Heavy rainfall created need to pump water across Hwy 89, so that patches place over culverts can remain in place. Boom stretched across cove, south of Hwy 89. ExxonMobil strike team members in cove, south bank of Hwy 89 Oil recovery ops west side of Main Street Oil in creek flowing eastward from Main Street. Oil in Crekk approx, 0.25 miles east of I-40, west of cove Oil in creek, approx 0.25 miles east of I-40, west of cove of Lake Conway. Oil in creek, approx 0.3 miles east of I-40, west of cove to Lake Conway. Boom stretched across area where creek empties into cove of Lake Conway, approx 0.4 miles east of I-40 X Boom across mouth of cove, approx 0.4 miles east of I-40 Air monitoring at Mayflower Elementary. Air monitoring at residence. Air monitoring at Mayflower Elementary. Air monitoring at Mayflower Elementary. Pressure washing ops at north end of Shadetree Drive (intersection of Shadetree and North Starlight Drive). x Air Monitoring Location 02 (ML02), North end of Shadetree. Air monitoring in Northwoods Subdivision, east end of Woodside Drive. Air monitoring at Monitoring Location 04 (ML04), Outside Dollar General in Shannon Square. Command Post - Tactics Meeting Command Post - Public Affairs Command Post - Overview Command Post - Overview Oil impacted soil between homes Vaccum operations Oiled areas between homes DOT inspector surveying oil between homes Oil behind residences Oil next to residence Decon of EPA personnel Oil covering residential street Monitoring for VOCs on residential street by RP contractor Oil next to residence Oil next to residential fence Air monitoring performed by CTEH at Mayflower Elementary School, West Wing Classrooms 24 & 25 Air monitoring in bus drop off entrance at Mayflower Elementary School. Indoor air monitoring performed by CTEH at Mayflower Elementary School at the south end of the main hallway proximal to room 14. Indoor air monitoring performed by CTEH at the Mayflower Elementary School main entrance/lobby. Overview of cleanup progress proximal to the release site. Sorbent material has been applied to continue cleanup process. Sorbent material applied to street in spill area as cleanup progresses. Sorbent material applied to street. Sorbent pads applied to oil on lawn. Incident Command Post Incident Command Post - PIO conference with Akansas Dept of Health, FOSC Brescia Sorbent material applied to street at stromwater discharge point. Sorbent boom in place at discharge point from neighborhood underneath Main Street Sorbent pads used for cleanup staged for removal. Cleanup activities east of the neighborhood and proximal to the railroad track in progress. View of the stormwater drain or unnamed tributary to the west from Main Street. Sorbent boom placed in ditch to intercept discharged oil during precipitation events. At the Incident Commant Post EPA R6 - Planning and Public Affairs Incident Command Post Incident Command Post Oil spill response equipment staged at Shannon Square, Mayflower, AR Stormwater/oil containment structure constructed in unnamed tributary to Lake Conway. Sorbent and containment boom installed before culverts in containment structure. Vacuum trucks removing oil and water from the unnamed tributary to Lake Conway. Frac tank staging area. Frac tank staging area. Containment boom installed in Lake Conway. Containment boom installed on a cove on Lake Conway. An airboat is staged for response on the left side of the photo. The cove is blocked from the main stem of Lake Conway and is being dewatered by the pumps installed on the dam (blue structures on the right side of the photo). Fence removed from residence proximal to the release site and contaminated soil is being excavated. Fence removed from residence proximal to the release site and contaminated soil removal in process. Fence removal from residence proximal to the release site is proceeding. Contaminated sorbent material is staged for removal. View north, east of the neighborhood with the cleanup in progress. Stormwater discharge point of the oil from the neighborhood. Sorbent booms and pads installed. Overview of cleanup progress on N. Starlight Rd. Pipeline release point is identified as the area in the photo with sorbent boom and a vaccum hose installed in an excavation on the left side of the photo. Oil collection point on N. Starlight Rd. Cleanup progress continues. Residential fencing is removed and sorbent pads have been placed on the released oil. Overview of cleanup activities in backyards proximal to the spill site. Overview of cleanup activities in backyards proximal to the spill site. Cleanup activities continue. Sod staged for replacement. Drum skimmers in operation downstream of the oil spill in an unnamed tributary to Lake Conway. Pipeline marker in foreground. Spill site in background. Discharged crude oil removal by means of vacuum truck proximal to the spill site. Discharged crude oil on the ground surface proximal to the spill site. Soil being reinforced with rock for potential movement of heavy equipment to back yards in spill area. Overview of cleanup activities. Equipment and personnel have transitioned out of this area (Shadetree Lane) to N. Starlight. Crude oil on surface down gradient of spill site. Overview of vacuum truck operations ongoing in backyards. Cleanup activities continue in backyards in vicinity of the spill. Sump advanced below ground level to observe and remove oil via means of vacuum truck. Phase separated hydrocarbons observed on the ground surface in the residential backyards proximal to the release from the 20 inch pipeline. Crude oil being removed from the subsurface via a residential french drain. Contaminated soil and rock in heavy equipment bucket. Overview of cleanup activities in residential backyards. Phase separated hydrocarbons in drainage between railroad tracks and Main Street. Ceanup activities between railroad tracks and Main Street. Cleanup activities in drainage between railroad tracks and Main Street. Drainage pathway in culvert beneath railroad tracks. Drum skimmers in operation in spill pathway (unnamed tributary to Lake Conway). Sorbent boom deployed in unnamed tributary. Confluence of the primary spill pathway and a second unnamed tributary to Lake Conway. Note the contrast in turbidity of the two separate tributaries. Emulsified oil in unnamed tibutary (primary spill pathway). OSC evaluating oil spill. OSC evaluating oil spill. Contaminted soil and vegetation is being removed from the spill pathway. Sorbent and hard boom installed in the psill pathway (unnamed tributary) east of Highway 365 Phase separated hydrocarbon on surface water in unnamed tributary that flows beneath Interstate 40. Booms deployed in unnamed tributary (spill pathway) beneath Highway 365. Shannon Square shopping center is in the background. Cleanup activities in lowland area. Surface water is the unnamed tributary (primary spill pathway) the drains to the area designated as the cove. Photo location is east of Interstate 40. Underflow dam structure installed in unnamed tributary to contain oil. Phase separated hydrocarbons observed on soil, water and vegetation West side of 44 N. Starlite Rd. Underflow dam installed in concrete storm drain at the east end of the neighborhood prior to discharging beneath Main Street. Excavation activities continue in the unnamed tributary (spill pathway) that discharges to Lake Conway. Excavation continues in the unnamed tributary (spill pathway). RP contractor pressure washing driveway on east end of N Starlite Dr. Drainage pathway for dewatering north of N. Starlite Dr. RP contractor work progression near Cove. Progress of clean up activities. Marked trees to be removed behind Northwoods Neighborhood. Marked trees to be removed behind Northwoods Neighborhood. Clean up activities progression from spill pathway outflow under I-40 (first vacuum truck location). Clean up activities from access road off Hwy 40 - Debris staging area. Clean up activities from access road off Hwy 40 - Debris staging area. Clean up activities from access road off Hwy 40 - Debris staging area. Clean up activities from access road off Hwy 40 - Debris staging area. Debris staging area taken from the SE bank of the cove. Debris staging area taken from the SE bank of the cove. Clean up progression on SE shore of cove. Clean up progression on SE shore of cove. Clean up progression along SE shore of cove. Clean up progression along SE shore of cove. Clean up progression along SE shore of cove. Clean up progression along SE shore of cove. Pipe being prepared for oil removal and nitrogen injection RP taps pipeline north of spill location Temperary constructed road north of spill pathway RP contractor flushing oil from spill pathway aggragate bottoms Oil recovery point adjacent to railroad culvert off main street. Wildlife Center Command Meeting Trailer-ICP Excavated source pipeline Impacted creek Water Operations Oil seep near foundation Wildlife Rescue Wildlife Rescue Wildlife Rescue New pipeline Workers cleaning exterior of homes Workers cleaning street pipeline excavation removal of vegatation from coves Work crews in cove area Media entrance to pipeline removal observation area Prep for pipeline removal Prep for pipeline removal Pipeline removal prep Pipeline before removal Unified Command assessing removal progress of ditch Unified Command assessing removal progress of ditch Unified Command assessing removal progress of ditch Unified Command assessing removal progress of drainage ditch from rail road tracks to Shannon Square Unified Command assessing removal progress of drainage ditch from rail road tracks to Shannon Square Unified Command assessing removal progress of drainage ditch from rail road tracks to Shannon Square Overview of current condition of drainage ditch from railroad track to Hwy 365 Oil released from sediment following physical agitation FOSC agitating sediment to determine the presence of submerged oil; within drainage ditch next to Shannon Square View of oil released from sediment/soil from spill pathway View of oil spill pathway located between Hwy 365 and I-40 View of replaced section of pipeline Exxon contractors collecting samples from residence on N Starlite Road view of cove area of Lake Conway View of cove area of Lake Conway ML-15; Dason Cove Engineering/Containment controls used to prevent migration of discharged oil Engineering/Containment controls used to prevent migration of discharged oil View of bakyard of 6/N 36 732 View of bakyard of 6/N 36 732 View of foundation assessment on west side of Home No. 32 on N Starlite View of replaced pipeine section Oversight Media tour within Northwood Subdivision; North Starlite Road Grading in backyards of residences located on the northern side of North Starlite Road Clean-up operations in Bell Cove area Clean-up operations in Bell Cove area Clean-up operations in Bell Cove area Clean-up operations in Bell Cove area Response operations in Bell Cove area; bagging oiled waste Removal of oiled containment boom; Bell Cove area View of oil along southern bank of Bell Cove area Response operations on western end of Bell Cove area View of staging/decontamination area located along I-40 service road View of drainage area into Bell Cove along I-40 service road View of response personnel loading oiled waste in roll-off box; I-40 service road View of grinding operations along I-40 service road View of boom grids within Bell Cove area View of northern end of Bell Cove area; from Hwy 89 View of southern end of Lake Conway; from Hwy 89 UC and State of Arkansas Representatives conducting site-walk of incident area View of cut on North Starlite Road for sewer and drinking water line removal Close-up of cut along North Starlite Road for sewer and drinking water line removal Overview of progress of cutting North Starlite Road for sewer and drinking water line removal View of crew cutting North Starlite Road Overview of activities from backyard of Residence No. 24; sampling and current condition View of trench dug around Residence No. 24 for foundation assessment Response personnel reworking underflow dam within drainage; eastern end of North Starlite Road Overview of operations and current condition of drainage located on eastern end of North Starline Road; taken from Main Street View of current status of response operations along southern bank of Bell Cove area View of decontamination/staging area located on southern bank of Bell Cove area Response personnel removing oil along southern bank of Bell Cove area View of biological liquid/material (not oil) seeping/flowing from debris pile; located on western end of 365W drainage ditch View of drainage area on western end of 365W drainage ditch View of UC inspecting 365W drainage ditch for remedial sign-off View of UC inspecting 365W drainage ditch for remedial sign-off View of oil seeping from soil within 365W drainage ditch; near buried fiber optic cable View of sign indicating buried fiber optic cable View of UC inspecting 365W drainage ditch for remedial sign-off; buried fiber optic cable marker in foreground View of oil seeping from soil within 365W drainage ditch; ~ 20 feet east of buried fiber optic cable View of free oil within small gravel area within 365W drainage ditch UC inspecting 365W drainage ditch for remedial sign-off Free product within foot prints; 365W drainage ditch Oil seepage from area with fine root system; 365W drainage ditch 15’ by 15’ area with fine roots; 365W drainage ditch 10’ by 20 ‘area with oil residue; 365W drainage ditch 5’ by 10’ area with free oil within foot prints; 365W drainage ditch Close-up of area with free oil within foot prints; 365W drainage ditch Close-up of area with free oil within foot prints; 365W drainage ditch Overview of eastern end of 365W drainage ditch Residual oil trapped on the upstream side of boom; 365E drainage ditch Residual oil trapped on the upstream side of boom; 365E drainage ditch View of emulsified oil mixed with vegetative debris; 365E drainage ditch View of emulsified oil mixed with vegetative debris; 365E drainage ditch View of oil near eastern end of 365E drainage ditch; ~ 20 feet upstream from I-40 View of oil near eastern end of 365E drainage ditch; ~ 20 feet upstream from I-40 View of oil near eastern end of 365E drainage ditch; ~ 20 feet upstream from I-40 View of oil near eastern end of 365E drainage ditch; ~ 20 feet upstream from I-40 Overview of western end of 365E drainage ditch View of erosion control matting to be used on 365W drainage ditch View of progress of asphalt removal for sewer/water line installation; North Starlite Road View of progress of asphalt removal for sewer/water line installation View of crew member scrapping yard of soil and debris; along north side of North Starlite Road Crew conducting foundation assessment at Residence No. 28 Crew conducting foundation assessment at Residence No. 28 Progress of asphalt removal for sewer/water line installation View of sample location used for impact assessment at Residence No. 24; sample location H8-24-004 View of soil boring locations along foundation of Residence No. 24 View of trench dug for foundation assessment at Residence No. 24 View of trench dug for foundation assessment at Residence No. 24 View of driveway broken for removal; preparation of sewer/water line installation Foundation assessment trench covered for safety Crew cutting North Starlite Road for sewer/water line installation View of northern end of Bell Cove area View of southern end of Lake Conway Sorbent boom and light sheen in creek east of HWY 365, west of I-40. Wildlife being released, snakes, turtles and frogs Pockets of oil being removed on the North side of the cove area Sediment/Soil photo inside the cove, area is free of gross oil Overview of cleaned area adjacent to I-40 looking out into the cove Overview of cleaned area adjacent to I-40 in the cove Absorbent boom from cove area bagged for disposal Overview of Cove area from the North side, gross oil has been removed from this area Overview of middle cove area where gross oil has been removed Pockets of oil being being isolated on the north side of the cove Oil impacted debris, wood chips, staged in roll-off boxes at Hilltop Excavated soil, absorbents and pads being stages at ExxonMobil terminal north of Conway Staged soil at ExxonMobil terminal north of Conway Solid/liquid waste separation from residential hydro-vacuuming operations Oil and water waste staged in tanks at the ExxonMobil terminal north of Conway
For additional information, visit the Pollution/Situation Report (Pol/Sitreps) section.