On February 9, 2010 Superior Crude Gathering Inc. (RP) located at 1472 FM2725, Ingleside, San Patricio County, Texas had a leak from an above ground storage tank (AST).  The tank identified as Tank 13 has a capacity of 100,000 barrels.  The RP estimates Tank 13 had approximately 62,000 barrels of crude oil at the time of the incident.  Approximately 24,000 barrels of oil was released into the secondary containment for the tank.  This containment also provides containment for Tanks 12 and 30.  According to the RP some type of clandestine conveyance exists between the containment where the spill occurred and a containment system to the east of the spill location (containment for Tank 10, 11, 26, 27).  On February 10, 2010 it was discovered that the containment failed and allowed oil to drain into a tidally influenced wetland located down-gradient on the eastern side of the facility.  Once discovered the RP used soil to secure the release. 

In an attempt to contain the remaining oil in the Tank 13 the RP transferred the oil from Tank 13 into Tank 15.  On February 10, 2010 Tank 15 released oil into its containment.  The released oil then drained down-gradient through a storm drain located in the containments earthen wall then flowed though a drainage ditch and into the same tidally influence wetland discussed above.

The RP leases and operates three above ground storage tanks within the Falcon Refinery Superfund Site tank farm.  Superior Crude Gathering receives crude oil by tanker truck from southern Texas which is stored in the above ground storage tanks and subsequently loaded onto barge for shipment. 

1.1.2.1 Location
1472 FM2725, Ingleside, San Patricio County, Texas

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Potential of 24,000 barrels of crude oil discharging into Red Fish Bay, to the Intracoastal Waterway, and then the Gulf of Mexico (less than 0.5 miles).   Over 2,200 barrels of oil was discharged in to a tidally influenced wetland that was immediately adjacent to the facility containment system.

Crude Oil Transfer:

On February 14, 2010 the RP resumed operations, transporting oil from south Texas by Tanker Truck.  The RP utilized the two crude oil receiving terminals located near the front of the facility and Tank 16 to store the crude oil.  The RP also consolidated the oil and oily water contained in the on-site temporary storage tanks into the third above ground storage tank (Tank 16).  During this period, the RP also removed water from Tank 16 and transported it to an off site treatment/disposal facility.  Tank 16 remained in service until February 17, 2010.  On February 17, 2010, EPA issued an order requiring the RP to perform an assessment of Tanks 13, 15, and 16 and their associated containments to ensure that they provide sufficient protection in preventing another discharge prior to being returned to service. 
 

Tank 16 currently contains approximately 11,000 barrels of oil.  According to the RP, Tank 16 has a floating roof and if additional oil is removed it could cause electrolysis to occur within the tank when the “legs” of the floating roof come into contact with the tank floor.   Tanks 13 and 15 are both empty.  The RP has cleaned out Tank 15 and has scheduled the inspection.  The RP anticipates that the inspections, repairs, and assessment requirements in the EPA order will take at least another 10 days for Tank 15.  Once completed it is anticipated that the RP will remove the contents from Tank 16 and transfer them to Tank 15. 

The RP transferred oil from Tank 16 to two barges located at the facility’s dock.  The RP indicated that an additional 4,000 barrels of oil is necessary to complete an order that the RP has committed to.   EPA has advised the RP that it is permissible under the current order to continue to use any part of the facility as long as Tanks 13, 15 and 16 are not used.  The RP had determined that it can continue to use the two crude oil receiving terminals and bypass the Tanks 13, 15 and 16 by transferring from tanker truck directly to the barges.  The RP is currently working with USCG to see if it permissible.

Oil Spill Cleanup:

The RP is using Miller Environmental to conduct the oil spill cleanup from the tidally influenced wetland.  The cleanup operations include skimming oil from the surface of the water and flushing from vegetation and the shoreline to recover discharged crude oil.  The oil was contained within the wetlands located within the property boundaries of the Superfund site.  Unified Command was utilized to ensure that all agencies’ concerns and objectives were met.  As of February 18, 2010 2,200 barrels of oil had been recovered.  At that time, oil spill recovery operations transferred from active to passive operations.  The RP ceased flushing operations and has deployed sorbent boom to absorb any oil that may remain.  All hard boom has been recovered as of February 25, 2010 except for a small section that is located at the northern Superfund property boundary where the wetland drains through a culvert to another wetland located on the north side of the road. 

The TRRC has initiated the over site of the remediation of oil contaminated soil within the containment areas.  EPA will provide technical assistance to TRRC for any impacts that the Superfund site may have on the TRRC remediation project.  The RP will be conducting the soil remediation project which will include the excavation of visibly contaminated soil, stockpiling of excavated soil, sampling and disposal profiling of excavated soil, and disposing of the excavated soil within a properly permitted disposal facility.  EPA provided TRRC with recommendations for analysis to be conducted on soil samples collected for confirmation that contamination has been removed.
 

Air Monitoring:

TCEQ conducted air monitoring around the Falcon Refinery on February 10, 2010 using a four gas meter configured with Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) sensors.TCEQ reported air monitoring results as non-detect.  EPA assumed air monitoring during response activities on February 11, 2010 establishing five 24-hour remote air monitoring stations at local residences and businesses using RAE System AreaRAE units configured with H₂S and VOC sensors.  In addition, air monitoring was conducted at the spill site using a Toxic Vapor Analyzer (TVA-1000), Draeger CMS chipped for Benzene and a four gas meter configured with H₂S and VOC sensors.  TCEQ and EPA are responding to odor complaints from residents but have not detected any concentrations above background levels.  

Wildlife Impact:

The USFW and TPW have personnel on-site.  They have been providing input into oil spill recovery efforts.  Five oiled-birds have been captured and transported to a rehabilitation facility.  All are expected to survive.  Scare cannons have been placed strategically throughout the facility to prevent additional birds from coming into contact with the oil.  Approximately 200 dead fish (sheepshead minnow and striped mullet) have been observed.   

EPA will continue to monitor the tidally influenced wetland oil spill cleanup.

The TRRC will continue the oversight of the removal and disposal of oil contaminated soil from areas impacted by oil spill.