Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Lacy Operating Condensate Spill
Carthage, TX - EPA Region VI
POLREP #2
Final

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Lacy Operating Condensate Spill - Removal Polrep
Final Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region VI

Subject:

POLREP #2
Final
Lacy Operating Condensate Spill

Carthage, TX
Latitude: 32.2591720 Longitude: -94.3361350

To:

From:

William Rhotenberry, OSC

Date:

2/23/2010

Reporting Period:

2/18/2010

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:		Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:
Response Authority:	OPA	Response Type:	Emergency
Response Lead:	PRP	Incident Category:	Removal Action
NPL Status:		Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	1/28/2010	Start Date:	1/28/2010
Demob Date:		Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:		RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:	E10610	Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

OPA - FPN # E10610 Oil Spill

1.1.2 Site Description

Accidental release of approximately 188 Barrel (bbl) of natural gas condensate from temporary tanks collecting condensate liquid from a natural gas well. The condensate ran off site approximately 100 yards into an unnamed tributary of Martins Creek, which flows into the Sabine River, which then flows into Sabine Lake which flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) is Lacy Operating, LTD of Longview, Texas.

1.1.2.1 Location

The spill is located on a gas lease approximately 7 miles north of Carthage, Panola County, Texas.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative

At approximately 0330 hours on 27 January 2010, 188 bbl of natural gas condensate oil was released from the open dump valve of a tank collecting water and condensate from a natural gas well on a lease approxinately 7 miles north of Carthage, Panola County, Texas. The incident was reported to the National Response Center (NRC#929847) at 2224 hours on 27 January 2010.

EPA was notified of the spill and mobilized the morning of 28 Jauary 2010. Representatives of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Railroad Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife and The Sabine River Authority responded to the spill and conducted their own assessment of spill cleanup actiuvities. All parties were in agreement with Lacy Operations remedial actions.

The condensate moved downhill approximately 100 yards to a tributary of Martins Creek, which flows into the Sabine River which flows into Sabine Lake and then into the Gulf of Mexico. The total length of the spill in the water is approximately 2.5 miles. The spill was stopped prior to entering the Sabine River by a natural dam created by a fallen tree and debris. Lacy activated their spill response contractor who deployed a combination of containment boom and sorbent boom in multiple locations downstream of where the spill occurred. Cleanup operations consisted of the use of fresh water flushing from the spill point and then collection of the condensate by vacuum trucks at two points downstream. Sorbent pads were used to collect condensate at other points along the creek. Due to areas along Martins Creek which were inaccessible by vacuum truck a decision was made with approval by TCEQ to burn off small pockets of the condensate utilizing small hand held propane torches.  No accelerants were added for the burn. At the close of operations on 28 January 2010 approximately 150 bbl of product had either been recovered or burned off.

Due to excessive precipitation after the spill, and a release of water from the Martins Creek Reservior, water levels in Martins Creek and the Sabine River had risen approximately 15 feet, washing away any remaining condensate left on the banks and in the water.

Burning in the wooded area adjacent to the pad and freshwater flushing to a collection point prior to the entrance of Martins Creek has removed most of the remaining condensate from the wooded area. The RP plans to remove some of the trees in the spill pathway. RP consultants are planning to collect soil samples along the spill pathway in the wooded area adjacent to the well pad spill site and conduct remedial actions, including soil removal and tilling of soils if shown to be contaminated with condensate.

As of 18 February 2010 approximately 180-185 bbl of product had either been recovered or burned off during cleanup and recovery operations.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

Approximately 180-185 bbl of condensate have been recovered or burned off during removal activitites accordiing to RP estimates.

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

Lacy Operations, LTD. of Longview, Texas owns and operates the nautral gas well from which the condensate was collected.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

RP and cleanup contractors will test the soils along the spill pathway and conduct remedial actions, including soil removal and tilling of soils if shown to be contaminated with condensate. The RP will continue to utilize the underflow dam on the unnnamed tributary of Martins Creek to collect any unrecovered condensate that flows off of the wooded area soils. The RP will remove some trees and vegetation along the spill pathway to aid in the removal of contaminants.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

Continue the use of containment boom and sorbent pads to provide maintenance and recover sheen on unnamed tributary of Martins Creek.

2.2.2 Issues

2.3 Logistics Section