Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Stackyard Hollow
Wheeling, WV - EPA Region III
POLREP #3
Preliminary Assessment

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Stackyard Hollow - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region III

Subject:

POLREP #3
Preliminary Assessment
Stackyard Hollow
Z3MD
Wheeling, WV
Latitude: 40.0772533 Longitude: -80.7054597

To:

From:

Michael Towle, On-Scene Coordinator

Date:

9/15/2014

Reporting Period:

through 9/15/14

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:	Z3MD	Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:
Response Authority:	OPA	Response Type:	Time-Critical
Response Lead:	EPA	Incident Category:	Removal Assessment
NPL Status:		Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:		Start Date:	1/14/2014
Demob Date:		Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:		RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:	WVDEP
FPN#:	E14302	Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

Oil discharge from an abandoned oil production facility

1.1.2 Site Description

The subject Site consists of a discharge of oil into a flowing tributary (Stackyard Hollow) of Wheeling Creek located in Ohio County, West Virginia. The tributary is mapped Stackyard Hollow and exists (at the location of the discharge) within a box culvert constructed over the flowing water. Stackyard Hollow discharges to Wheeling Creek which is a tributary of the Ohio River in Wheeling, WV. The oil discharges through a pipe and through the stone wall of the culvert into Wheeling Creek. On this date, the source of the oil has been determined to be at least one abandoned oil well found underneath the nearby residential dwelling.

1.1.2.1 Location

The discharge point for the oil is located in a box culvert beneath a residential structure located along Joan Street, Wheeling, Ohio County, WV 26003.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

A discharge of oil from an abandoned oil production facility continues to enter the waters of Stackyard Hollow.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

The OSC and WVDEP have been conducting a Preliminary Assessment of the Site since January 2014. The OSC obtained an FPN (E14302) on January 13, 2014. Oil was found discharging from a pipe penetrating through the wall of a box culvert constructed over Stackyard Hollow. The purpose of the pipe is unknown. Oil is also entering Stackyard Hollow through the wall of the culvert and up through the floor of the nearest structure - a building housing multiple residences.

The discharge has resulted in an unknown amount of oil into a flowing tributary (Stackyard Hollow) of Wheeling Creek, tributary to the Ohio River and a navigable waterway. The source of the oil discharge is an abandoned oil production facility; at least one of the wells component to the facility is located under the residential structure. Abandoned oil wells, component to an abandoned oil production facility, are known nearby the subject discharge and are known to intermittently discharge their wellbore contents at / near the subject discharge. As such, the OSC further estimates that an additional 5 BBLs of oil could discharge. The situation poses a substantial threat of discharge of oil into or upon the adjoining shorelines of the navigable waters of the United States. Additionally, this oil discharge is occuring into an occupide structure. The size classification of this discharge of oil is expected to be minor. The OSC and WVDEP are unclear if the amount of oil will increase or decrease over time.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative

Since the previous POLREP, the property owner assisted the WVDEP and the OSC to further investigate the source of the oil believed to exist under the stucture.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

On August 26, 2014, EPA, WVDEP and the EPA START contractor detected a strong magnetic signal under a rear room of the residential structure. Previous assessment indicated that the pipe discharging oil into Stackyard Hollow trended under the rear room.  However, a blockage in the pipe was encountered prior to the location of the strong magnetic signal.

The OSC, WVDEP and the owner discussed the likely need to investigate under the floor of the structure to determine what the source of signal was and if it was related to the oily discharge. It was thought that removal of the tiles on the floor would reveal some clues. The property owner voluntarily removed floor tiles on August 26, 2014 to expose the concrete floor. Oil had seeped across the concrete under a sizable area of the tiled floor. A crack was found in the concrete underneath the tiles and was believed to be the route through which oil entered up through the concrete floor and into the tile.

The property owner and the OSC and WVDEP discussed the additional probable need to look under the concrete in order to determine if the source of the strong magnetic signal was relating to an oil well. At this time, the evidence included: 1) a strong magnetic signal of limited size, 2) oil in the concrete floor around the signal, and 3) a pipe discharging oil leading away from the area of strong magnetic signal. The owner agreed to break through the concrete floor and advise EPA of findings.

On September 12, 2014, the property owner removed sufficient concrete to expose the pipe which entered the culvert and to also expose what appeared to be metal piping at the source of the strong magnetic signal. The owner notified EPA of the presence of several pipes. Additionally, the property owner advised EPA of bubbling liquids and an odor of gas at the location of the signal. The owner documented the condition, began ventilation of the structure, and backfilled the hole.

The EPA OSC responded to the Site on September 12, 2014. The OSC observed that the concrete floor over the previously identified magnetic anomaly had been removed. The OSC collected air monitoring information within the rear room as well as outside the residential structure. The monitoring indicated an LEL of approximately 2% (VOCs 8 to 11 ppm) in the rear room with the excavation backfilled/covered. The LEL was higher (11%)(VOCs 20 ppm) just above the excavation location and rose to about 50% (VOCs 356 ppm) just above what appeared to be vertical metal pipe when the soil in the excavation was again removed. Outside and at the exhaust fan, the LEL was about 6% (VOCs 13).   At the exterior doors of the residences, the levels of VOCs decreased to about 2 ppm. The excavation was again backfilled and the rear room remained under venitaltion activities by the owner. The OSC advised the owner to conduct no further investigation until EPA and WVDEP could be present.

The OSC coordinated with WVDEP Office of Oil and Gas. Discussion relating to the conditions and the potential that a well exists at the Site lead WVDEP and EPA to develop an initial response strategy to expose the entirety of the well and install some sort of containment to vent the gas. WVDEP would attempt to get various sizes of pipe to anticipate what may be found.

The OSC coordinated with Wheeling FD to inform them of all activities and conditions.

The OSC returned to the Site on September 13, to again evaluate air monitoring information and observe the discharge. The air monitoring indicated similar results over the now backfilled hole (LEL 3 - 4 % and VOCs 7 to 8 ppm) and lower levels outside (no LEL and VOCs levels of 0.5 ppm). This indicated effective ventilation. However, the system is not intended to be a permanent solution and willnot withstand the surge of a "kick" from the abandoned leaking well.

The amount of oil in the Creek has increased from prior observations (e.g., August 26, 2014). The OSC arranged for deployment of absorbent pads and boom to remove and contain oil. WVDEP was advised of conditions and all agreed to meet again at the Site with additional resources on September 15, 2014.

On September 15, 2014, the soil within the excavation area within the rear room and at the location of the magnetic anomaly was again removed. Additional soil was then removed to deepen the excavation to expose threaded collar pipe. Within the pipe was found yellow clear oily liquids with gas bubbling through. Soils around the well were found saturated and oily. WVDEP determined that the structure was an abandoned oil well which had been covered by the structure. The well had no cap or containment. It is presumed that the pipe originally found in the culvert may have been a crudely designed system to allow well contents, original drill fluids, or other liquids to discharge from the well site into the Creek. The WVDEP worked with the owner of the residences to construct a temporary containment system to enable the venting of the gas outside of the structure. 10-inch diameter pipe was cemented into the well casing. Atop this pipe was attached additional parts to eventually allow for the venting of the gas through the pipe, out the window and then well above the roof of the structure.

After the venting system was installed, air monitoring was conducted in all 4 units of the building. There were no LEL readings in any apartment. The VOCs levels in the rear room (lower apartment unit) were between 5 and 20 ppm. The level in the other units were between 0.7 and 3.5 ppm. Petroleum odor was not detectable in two of the units after about two hours. However, since the subject unit with the well also contained contaminated soil and glued PVC pipes, VOCs were still detectable.

The OSC coordinated with WVDEP emergency response, Ohio County EMA, and Wheeling FD to assure that all parties were aware of the situation and the air monitoring results. Ohio County EMA and Wheeling FD met at the Site with the OSC and WVDEP to observe Site conditions and the venting system. All agreed that the actions successfully vented the gas. However, oil continued to migrate from the well location and into Stackyard Hollow. Such action would continue until the leaking oil well was properly addressed. All agreed that the Site could be demobilized pending such decisions.

The owner was advised/requested to assist the OSC and WVDEP by putting the contaminated soil into the hole and covering while continuing the ventilation.

An EPA contractor documented Site conditions and assisted with maintain the absorbent materials now deployed on the water.

The OSC also coordinated with USCG NPFC to adjust the ceiling of the FPN to allow for continued response actions.

WVDEP has requested EPA to take the lead on response actions.

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

Historical well maps in the area of Stackyard Hollow identify numerous oil and/or gas wells. However, no historical maps identify a well near the structure at 51 Joan Street.  Through a courthouse deed/lease search, the Site was formerly identified as Lot 4 of the Thompson Estate, and there were two leases identified for the land. However, no mention of any particular wells were included in the lease information. Both PRPs, Octo Oil Company and Glenwood Oil and Gasoline Company, no longer exist. The OSC will evaluate available information to determine an RP for the Site.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

*Waste Stream*	*Medium*	*Quantity*	*Manifest #*	*Treatment*	*Disposal*
oil	solids	55-gallon drum			X

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Evaluate air monitoring issues again on September 16, 2014 to assure that the venting system is working. It is hoped that continued dilution of the glues and actions to reduce the exposure of contaminated soil in the room will assist with odor issues.

Coordinate with WVDEP to determine possible course of action to address the leaking well.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

2.2.2 Issues

The structure is used as a residence for several people- the building is divided into 4 units.

2.3 Logistics Section