Oil Spill into navigable waters of the United States, reported as 100 bbls of crude oil.  Spill impacted a tributary of the Canadian River.  The spill was reportedly caused by vandalism/theft of the main valve on the 202 bbl storage tank.   

The Site, the Whitney Lease Tank Battery, is an oil production facility consisting of a well, initial separation (gun barrel) and storage tanks (2@150 bbl oil, 1@202 bbl, 1 produced water tank and 2 gun barrels). The facility reportedly had been “shut in” for several months.

1.1.2.1 Location
The incident occurred at the Halcon Resources, Whitney Lease Tank Battery. The facility is located on the North Side of W. Broadway, approximately 150 yards East of Highway 3E, Byng, Pontotoc County, OK.  

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
At approximately 1200 hours on June 1, 2013, Halcon Resources, discovered a discharge of 100 bbls of crude oil.  The oil appears to have been released from a 202 bbl stock tank, due to someone removing the main drain valve.  Halcon reported that they believe the release was caused by theft or vandalism.  Based on Halcon’s calculations, the tank volume was 1.64 bbls/inch and the tank had contained 66” of oil.  Therefore, 108 bbls of oil were released from the tank.  The discharge traveled through surface drainage and storm drains to an unnamed tributary of the Canadian River.  Approximately, 1 mile of stream was impacted by the spill before the spill was contained at the distal underflow dam, just before the Canadian River.  Primary threat is to fish and wildlife resources in and around the stream and in the Canadian River.  A small amount of oil (< 1 bbl) was documented in the stream and River downstream of the final underflow dam.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

OSC Smalley responded to the incident on June 2, 2013, and met with Halcon representatives.  The discharge traveled through surface drainage and storm drains under the highway, to an unnamed tributary of the Canadian River.  Approximately, 1 mile of heavily vegetated stream was impacted by the spill before the spill was contained at the distal underflow dam.  Halcon has installed two underflow dams, one approximately 50 yards downstream of where the oil entered the stream and the other just before the confluence with the Canadian River.   During the Initial assessment no fish or wildlife impacts were documented.  However, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will make a site visit on June 5, 2013.

Currently Halcon is flushing the spill path with fresh water and recovering the oil with vacuum trucks.  The OSC instructed Halcon to install hard containment boom downstream of the final underflow dam to catch any oil that escapes, build up the underflow dams and install larger pipes (if rain is imminent) and acquire drum skimmers for oil recovery operations.  Halcon was also instructed to minimize clearing or excavation until the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service could make a site visit and provide guidance. 

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Halcon reported they had recovered approximately 30 bbls from the upstream underflow dam on June 1, 2013, of which they estimated 2/3 was oil.  Response activities continued to be focused on flushing and recovery with a vacuum truck. 

Due to rising flood waters on the Canadian River, Halcon built up the downstream underflow dam and removed the pipe to prevent water from the Canadian from pushing back upstream. 

On June 2, 2013, they reportedly recovered another 30 bbls of oil following the same procedures.

On June 3, 2013, EPA activated START to respond to the spill and assist in monitoring activities. 

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Halcon Resources/Halcon Holdings Inc., 100 E. 13^th Street, Ada Oklahoma, 74820.

Contact: Tommy Jesse, HSE Coordinator – 580-436-9367

When EPA arrived on scene June 2, 2013, Halcon was just beginning flushing activities.  Halcon was flushing with a mixture of water and “EnviroClean.”  Halcon was directed to cease flushing with this additive and informed that this was not allowable, only fresh water was allowed.

OSC Smalley and Kevin Burgess, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will meet at the site on June 5, 2013, to assess activities to date and plan appropriate bank cleaning strategies.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service