Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Husky Lima Refinery Release
Lima, OH - EPA Region V
POLREP #1
Initial POLREP

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Husky Lima Refinery Release - Removal Polrep
Initial Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region V

Subject:

POLREP #1
Initial POLREP
Husky Lima Refinery Release

Lima, OH
Latitude: 40.7240000 Longitude: -84.1207000

To:

From:

JJ Justice, On-Scene Coordinator

Date:

11/23/2009

Reporting Period:

11/22/2009 to 11/23/2009

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:	Z5J4	Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:
Response Authority:	OPA	Response Type:	Emergency
Response Lead:	PRP	Incident Category:	Removal Action
NPL Status:	Non NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	11/22/2009	Start Date:	11/22/2009
Demob Date:		Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:		RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:	E10506	Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Site Description

At approximately 0945 on November 22, 2009, an Above Ground Storage Tank (AST) at the Husky Lima Refinery ruptured releasing a mixture of steam and aerosolized petroleum products into the atmosphere that deposited downwind of the facility. Field inspection noted aerial deposition of the petroleum material approximately 5 miles downwind of the facility in residential and commercial areas as well as in the Ottawa River.

1.1.1.1 Location

The Husky Lima Refinery is located at 1150 South Metcalf Street in Lima, Ohio. The facility is bordered to the south by commercial/industrial areas, to the west for the Ottawa River and residential areas, to the north by parks, residential and commercial areas and to the east by commercial/residential areas. The affected downwind area is predominantly residential and commercial areas. The Ottawa River flows into the Auglaize which is a tributary to the Maumee River that discharges into Lake Erie.

1.1.1.2 Description of Threat

An estimated 49,000 gallons of Vacuum Residue (primarily comprised of Vacuum Tower Bottoms generated during the refining of crude oil) was released from a 4 million gallon AST (57 Tank). The initially reported release of 100,000 gallons was adjusted downward based on calculations of flows into and out of the 57 Tank and equalization with its balancing tank (56 Tank). Additional calculations will be conducted after manual measurements of the tank volumes are completed. The release was due to a rupture in the tank while product was being heated for transfer from the tank. While heating the Vacuum Residue's to 350 deg. C, water in the tank vaporized pressurizing and finally breaching the top of the tank. The vaporized water entrained the Vacuum Residues into the air which was carried by the wind and deposited as far as 5 miles downwind of the facility. Currently over 400 complaints have been received on the Husky Call Line reporting impacted areas. The initial release was accompanied by a "tar" type odor however initial air monitoring did not detect any concentrations of hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds or benzene. The constituents of the Vacuum Residue are largely long chain hydrocarbons (>24 carbons) with low volatility. The heaviest deposits of petroleum product cover the ground, soil, grass and vertical surfaces approximately 1 mile downwind of the facility in Collett Park, Woodlawn Cemetery, a small section of residential homes and the Ottawa River. The material is similar to asphalt base and following its deposition and cooling it becomes tacky and will eventually harden.

1.1.2 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

Based on consultation with Allen County Health Department and ATSDR, USEPA and Husky Energy collected surface soils samples from the most heavily oiled areas in downwind of the facility. In addition, air samples were collected in heavily oiled areas.

Free product and sheen are visible on the Ottawa River between Collett Park (located at South Collett Street and Chicago Drive) and the intersection of Poling Road and Allentown Road. Three collection points have been established with containment and sorbent boom with vacuum trucks to recover all collected product.

Husky was deployed crews to assess and document all impacted areas and to begin obtaining permissions for access to areas that will require remediation, including washing of external home and vehicle surfaces and removal of impacted vegetation.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Response Actions to Date

The following response actions have been taken:

Established three collection and monitoring points on the Ottawa River to contain and collect all free petroleum product.
Established and Call Center to take calls from the public to arrange for inspection and remediation of their properties, washing of vehicles and any other complaints or issues.
Began removing leaves and impacted vegetation from along the bank of the Ottawa River immediately downwind of the release.
Cleaned play surfaces at an elementary school located downwind of the release.
Began assessing and delineating the extant of contamination and prioritizing the cleanup of impacted residential, commercial and public buildings.
Identified and remediated heavily impacted road and parking lot surfaces using sand and street sweepers.
Established a center for treating any oiled/impacted wildlife. To date, Five animals (all family pets) have been washed, including: 2 ducks, 2 cats and 1 dog.
Assessed all other surface waters and remediated 2 ponds that contained free product.
Coordinating with Allen County Health Department and a private doctor to address any health related questions and concerns.
Collected soil samples from heavily impacted areas. Air samples were also collected by USEPA in heavily impacted areas.
Prepared plans and procedures for addressing contaminated vegetation, hard surfaces and the Woodlawn Cemetery.
Approximately 400 complaints have been received by the Husky call center regarding impacted property.
Approximately 440 private vehicles have been washed at the Husky facility.
The Ottawa River bank closest to the facility has had all impacted and removable vegetation collected and staged for disposal.

2.1.2 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

A Notice of Federal Interest was issued to Husky Energy Inc. as the PRP for the Incident.

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Husky Refinery is preparing a remediation plan with USEPA and Ohio EPA oversight with actions that include: cleaning residues from hard surfaces, collecting the wash water for disposal at the facility, mowing/raking of impacted vegetation that will collected for disposal, application of MicroBlaze, a bio-remediation agent comprised of surfactants and non-pathogenic Bacillus bacteria, and mechanical decontamination of impacted road surfaces.

2.3 Logistics Section