U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Puma Energy Caribe (CAPECO) CERCLA Oversight Site - Removal Polrep
Initial Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region II
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Subject:
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POLREP #1
Initial
Puma Energy Caribe (CAPECO) CERCLA Oversight Site
A243
Bayamon, PR
Latitude: 18.4179488 Longitude: -66.1712716
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To:
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From:
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Christropher Jimenez, Mark Gallo, OSC
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Date:
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8/2/2011
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Reporting Period:
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May 11, 2011 - August 3, 2011
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
A243 |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
PRP Oversight |
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Response Lead: |
PRP |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
5/11/2011 |
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Start Date: |
5/11/2011 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
PRD00063218 |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
PRP Oversight Removal Action
1.1.2 Site Description
The site is a former oil storage facility and out of service refinery formerly operated by CAPECO,
On 10/23/2009 a gasoline tank was overfilled and gasoline vapors reached an ignition source and exploded. The force of the explosion damaged and ignited numerous nearby storage tanks filled with petroleum products such as Diesel fuel, and gasoline. Millions of gallons of product were ignited and an unknown quantity of product was released overland and into an adjacent wetlands.
That same day EPA Region II mobilized OSCs and contractor personnel to the scene to assist in the remediation effort. An Oil Pollution Act 1990 (OPA '90) Spill fund account was established by the US Coast Guard's National Pollution Funds Center, and EPA has had contractors on-Site since then to provide oversight, to assist the facility in remediating the releases, and to eliminate the threat of additional releases to navigable waterways of the US.
During the course of working on the Site EPA discovered the presence of approx. 100 small, deteriorated unmarked, compressed gas cylinders lying on the ground behind an out building at a remote location on the Site, and an accumulation of 500-lb compressed gas cylinders close by. The larger cylinders were deteriorated and some were labeled as "poison".
Elsewhere on the Site a chemical odor was detected from a building where dozens of drums were stored. Upon closer examination it was observed that the drums appeared to contain virgin chemicals but they looked to be many years old. It was also observed that at least one drum had turned over and was lying on the ground; the bung was open and a puddle of liquid was on the ground around the drum.
Some of these wastes were removed during the CAPECO CERCLA fund lead removal Action. On May11, 2011 Puma took over the removal action under an Administrative Order on Consent with EPA. Puma will continue the removal of the hazardous substances includeing F and K wastes in the WWTP and the asbestos that can be found throughout the refinery area.
1.1.2.1 Location
The Site is located in Bayamon Puerto Rico in the Luchetti Industrial Park. It is bordered by numerous busnesses, The Fort Buchanon Military Base, and residental neiborhoods.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
If this action is not taken the surronding busnesses, and communities could be adversely affected by air borne asbestos from the refinery or from hazardous waste that is currently stored on-site and contained in the facilities WWTP that discharges to Las Lajas and Malaris Creeks
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
This action is a continuation of a fund lead removal action at Caribbean Oil Refining Site. Puma Energy has entered into an AOC with EPA to complete the removal action under EPA oversight.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
See Background Section
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
On August 12, 2010, CAPECO filed for Bankruptcy and on December 16 and 17, 2010 an auction was held for the CAPECO assets with Puma Energy International being the successful bidder. From the point of late December 2010 through the initial week of May 2011, EPA and DOJ worked with Puma Energy (Puma) to establish a CERCLA Consent Order in which Puma would work to address any existing releases of hazardous substances remaining from the incident of October 23, 2009. By April 21, 2011, the CERCLA Consent Order was signed by both parties (EPA and Puma) and Puma proceeded to close on the CAPECO assets on May 11, 2011.
From May 11, 2011, EPA began transition activities, moving from a fund lead removal to a Responsible Party (RP) oversight removal action.
EPA has been conducting oversight on CERCLA related activities on-site since Puma took over the Site on May 5, 2011
For information related fund lead activities see polreps #40 and before from the Caribbean Petroleum Corporation CERCLA Site.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
This action is being conducted under an AOC between Puma Energy Caribe LLC
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal Facility |
| F037 |
Sludge |
15 c yards |
Profile 501419 |
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Philip Reclamation Service, Inc, Houston TX |
| K051 |
Sludge |
8 c yards |
Profile 501418 |
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Philip Reclamation Service, Inc, Houston TX |
| K051 |
Contaminated Wood |
2 c yards |
Profile 504024 |
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Philip Reclamation Service, Inc, Houston TX |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
On June 9, 2011 Puma submitted the draft CERCLA Work Plan in accordance with the CERCLA Order on Consent. EPA reviewed this document and submit comments in writing to Puma. Puma re-submitted the draft CERCLA work plan on June 22, 2011. This document is currently under review by EPA. EPA has completed review of the QAPP, HASP, and Disposal Plan, and is in the final stages of approval. Once a re-review of the CERCLA Work Plan is completed, EPA will determine if the whole CERCLA Work Plan is able to be approved
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Response activities for this action will include: removal of drummed hazardous waste, abatement of asbestos and demolition of the refinery portion of the facility, removal of other asbestos containing materials found in other areas of the facility, removal of sluges from the facility's API seperator, CPI seperator, and the knockout pit (these wastes are designated a K waste.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Puma will consolidate hazardous materials from throughout the site, and has begun staging waste for disposal, including K waste that is being generated from the cleanout of the facilities API separator, CPI separator and knockout pit. Puma previously has sent off for disposal approximately 21 yards of K and F waste that was generated as part of the EPA lead clean-up. Puma is preparing to send out solicitations for bid for demolition of the refinery.
Puma will continue to amended the CERCLA workplan in response to EPA's review of the document. The Work Plan will continue to be amended as conditions on the facility change.
2.2.2 Issues
None
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2.3 Logistics Section
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Puma is providing EPA with a command post trailer to perform oversight activities. Puma is also providing utilities for operation of the tralier
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2.4 Finance Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.5 Other Command Staff
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2.5.1 Safety Officer
Puma has on-site a Site Safety Officer and a Assistant Safety Officer on Site daily. The SSO participates daily in operations meeting with Puma operational personnel and EPA.
2.6 Liaison Officer
OSC is acting as the Liaison Officer for the Site.
2.7 Information Officer
2.7.1 Public Information Officer
The designated Information Officer for this Site is Elias Rodriguez PAD
2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator
The designated CIC for the Site is Brenda Reyes CEPD. Ms. Reyes has participated in several community events lead by EPA and Puma.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
This Site is not operated under a Unified Command
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
There are not designated assisting or Cooperating agencies. EPA communicates regularly with USCG Sector San Juan, PREQB, and the Army Corp of Engineers
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4. Personnel On Site
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EPA -1
RST -1 intermittant
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5. Definition of Terms
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none
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
None
6.2 Reporting Schedule
EPA will continue to issue a polrep on a weekly basis while there is site activity.
Off-site, it will on an as-needed basis.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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None
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