EPA Region 6 was contacted by personnel from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) on May 23, 2015, regarding the release of oil from a pipeline crossing Walnut Creek located approximately 1/2 mile north of the town of Healdton, Carter County, Oklahoma.
Floodwaters on Walnut creek, resulting from several days of heavy rains, scoured out an area where five pipelines cross the creek. The floodwaters also carried large pieces of vegetative debris (i.e., logs and tree branches). Some of this debris piled up inside the scoured out section of the creek and caused one of the pipelines to rupture.
The release of oil from the damaged pipeline entered Walnut creek and was discovered by the property owner who then contacted OCC. OCC personnel inspected the release and contacted EPA. An EPA FOSC was deployed at 1700 and arrived at the site at approximately 1900.
Kinder Morgan Inc. was contacted by OCC since one of the pipelines was owned by them. Kinder Morgan inspected the discharge area and determined that the damaged pipeline was owned by them. Kinder Morgan contacted the NRC regarding the release.
