Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Stackyard Hollow
Wheeling, WV - EPA Region III
POLREP #4
Continuing 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 #4
Continuing Assessment
Stackyard Hollow
Z3MD
Wheeling, WV
Latitude: 40.0772533 Longitude: -80.7054597

To:

From:

Michael Towle, On-Scene Coordinator

Date:

9/25/2014

Reporting Period:

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 consisting of at least one well.

1.1.2 Site Description

The subject Site consists of a discharge of oil into a flowing tributary (Stackyard Hollow or Stackyard Run) of Wheeling Creek located in Ohio County, West Virginia. The tributary is mapped Stackyard Hollow (noted as Stackyard Run in property deeds) 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, from around this pipe, and directly through the stone wall of the box culvert into Stackyard Hollow. The source of the oil has been determined to be at least one abandoned and leaking oil well found underneath the nearby residential dwelling. The well is about 25 feet from the flowing water of Stackyard Hollow and at the end of the above-mentioned pipe.

1.1.2.1 Location

The discharge point for the oil onto the flowing waters of Stackyard Hollow 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. A nearby abandoned and leaking oil/gas well was known to have discharged about 1 to 2 gallons per day before it was properly plugged. The subject well, which exists under the residential structure, includes, minimally, a 10+ inch outer casing found to be full of volatile oily liquids. Abandoned oil wells in the area have discharged or intermittently unloaded their contents. The subject well is producing enough gas to imply that the oil-bearing formation(s) are active enough to enable the subject well to unload its contents. There is no suitable containment on the subject well and such can not likely be constructed within the structure. The facility poses a substantial threat of immediate discharge to the navigable waters of a minor discharge (est 1 to 5 BBLs) of oil and a continuing threat to discharge a gallon or more of oil per day. Of more immediate concern and threat to people is the discharge of gas and oil into the currently occupied residential structure - the well is under the building and is being vented up through the building.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

The OSC and WVDEP continue the conduct of a Preliminary Assessment of the incident. The OSC obtained an FPN (E14302) on January 13, 2014 to initiate such Assessment. The Assessment began in January 2014 to include attempts to determine the source of the oil and Responsible Party for the discharge. The Assessment is ongoing to verify that the oil in Stackyard Hollow originates from the subject well (although such may be difficult to determine given that the well and migration pathway are underneath a residential structure (4 unit apartment building). Assessment is supported by the owner of the structure (conducting all work that results in damage to the structure) and has grown to include efforts to vent gas from the abandoned well to points outside the structure and efforts to contain and remove oil from Stackyard Hollow (conducted by EPA). The results of the Assessment are summarized as follows:

Oil was originally found discharging onto the flowing waters of Stackyard Hollow from a pipe penetrating through the wall of a box culvert constructed over Stackyard Hollow. The purpose of the pipe is unknown. Oil was also originally observed entering Stackyard Hollow directly through the wall of the culvert. Oil was also originally observed migrated up through the floor tiles of the nearest structure - a building housing multiple residences (i.e., apartment building).

Digging behind the apartment building found no evidence of oil in the soils. This suggested that the oil source does not likely originate from behind the apartment building so as to migrate beneath.

Electrical tracing of the pipe discharging within the culvert indicated that the pipe trended under the apartment building. It could not be determined exactly how the pipe coursed under the building. The subject pipe had a strong signal ending within the middle of the structure. Other weaker signals, on different trend lines, were also identified.

The oil (paraffin) clogging the pipe was removed in an effort to facilitate tracing the pipe to its source. The effort identified a blockage in the middle of the structure. The paraffin and oil coating the wall and within the pipe was removed.

The owner of the structure agreed to remove the floor tiles in the area where oil was emerging into the structure in an effort to determine the source. Oil had penetrated the grout of the floor tiles over a sizable area. Once removed, a large crack in the concrete floor was determined to be the reason that oil had migrated up into the apartment.

The owner of the structure agreed to penetrate the concrete floor over an area of strong magnetic signal near the suspected termination point of the pipe. Once accomplished, a 10+ inch vertically-oriented pipe was discovered. Inside this pipe was found bubbling oily liquid. The vertically-oriented pipe was believed to be a well.

WVDEP further uncovered the vertically-oriented pipe and verified it likely be a well casing (presence of threads and pipe collar). Oil was observed in the soil around the outside of the suspect well. The liquid in the well was highly volatile. The odors in the structure were monitored and determined to pose a threat via elevated levels of VOCs and LEL.

The owner assisted EPA and WVDEP through construction of a temporary vent stack to allow vapors to leave the structure. This stack was a section of 8 inch plastic pipe cemented into the well casing and then piped outside and above the roofline of the building. The temporary vent stack allowed suitable reduction in the level of VOCs and LEL in the structure. The air within the occupied apartments was also checked. Coordination amongst EPA, WVDEP, and local officials resulted in a decision that the temporary vent stack suitably reduced the vapors, but that it was insufficient to eliminate the threat.

Absorbent material was placed around the base of the temporary vent stack.

Absorbent pads and boom were placed into Stackyard Hollow. The amount of oily liquids discharging onto the waters has been noted to be variable. The discharge ranges from a minor rainbow sheen, a gray sheen, and yellow-colored oil.

The level of accumulated fluid in the well casing continues to rise into the vent stack. On 9/24/14 it was found to have risen well above the floor of the building.

On 9/25/14, continuing assessment affirmed that the pipe from the culvert originated at the subject well and that oil was flowing within and around the subject pipe between the well and the culvert.

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 determined to be 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 have 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 at one time in addition to the continuing minor 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 as such is defined in the NCP. 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 continued to assist the WVDEP and the OSC to further investigate the source of the oil under the structure. At this time, an abandoned oil/gas well has been identified under the structure, the pipe from the culvert has been determined to originate from the subject well, the temporary vent stack continues to suitably allow gas to exit the structure, the level of oily fluid in the well has risen into the vent stack to a level well above the level of floor, Oil has been found migrating within and alongside the pipe between the well and the culvert. EPA continues to monitor the air and maintain containment and removal of oil from Stackyard Hollow.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

See Prior POLREP for activities through September 15, 2014.

EPA continued routine air monitoring within and outside of the structure. The monitoring is necessary to assure that LEL does not exist in the structure (the hot water heater is nearby) and that elevated VOCs do not pose a risk to occupants in the building. Although LEL is somewhat elevated near to the end of the vent stack, elevated VOCs are not associated with the various apartment units as measured using a MultiRAE (PID). VOC levels within the apartment which now houses the well are routinely detected.

The amount of oil in the Creek has fluctuated from a light sheen (either rainbow or gray) to accumulations of yellow-colored oil. The OSC continues to arrange for deployment and maintenance, as needed, of absorbent pads and boom to contain and remove oil.

On 9/24/14 the level of oil liquids in the well had risen to exist within the plastic pipe comprising the temporary vent stack. At this time, there is well over 12" of volatile material in the stack and it exists above the level of the floor. Although, it appears that oily material is entering the absorbents placed around the base of the vent stack, EPA believes that the integrity of the seal between the vent stack and well casing is suitable.

On 9/25/14, continuing assessment of the situation indicated that the pipe which discharges oil into Stackyard Hollow (and which now contains an inflated plug) originates from the subject well. The owner of structure arranged for removal of additional areas of the concrete floor. The pipe was traced to within inches of the well casing and ended adjacent to what is believed to be pieces of the wooden conductor of the well. The pipe ended in oiled soil adjacent to the well casing.

On 9/25/14, continuing assessment of the situation identified oil migrating along the exterior of the pipe found between the well and the culvert. This finding indicates that oil has exited the well and is able to migrate towards Stackyard Hollow both inside and outside of the pipe. Previous assessment activity found that the pipe was full of paraffin and had a blockage within a few feet of the well.

The OSC continued coordination with NPFC Case Officer and provided updated information to same.

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

The OSC continued evaluation of available information. There is no map of the oil facility along Joan Street. Through a courthouse deed and lease search, the Site was formerly identified as Lot 4 (and #5) of the Thompson Estate. Two leases relating to the subject property were identified which indicated 3 possible operators of an oil production facility (in order, they are Seybold, Octo Oil Company, and Glenwood Oil and Gasoline Company). In the 1920s, the assets of the Glenwood Oil and Gasoline Company were sold to A. Schmidt. The assets included a well located on Parcel #4 and #5 which is the land upon which the apartment building is constructed. Although, numerous deeds can be found which convey the surface property forward in time, any documentation of the fate of the remainder of the assets (controlled or owned by A. Schmidt) cannot be located. The OSC will continue to direct a search for such records.

Other than information indicating that Octo Oil was dissolved in the 1950s, the OSC could find no further information on Seybold, Octo Oil Company, Glenwood Oil and Gasoline Company, or A. Schmidt. The time period involved (1920s) in the sale of the assets suggests that such searching may not be successful. At this time, the OSC is not able to identify an RP to which a notice may be sent.

The OSC will continue to attempt to determine a RP for the subject discharge of oil.

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

Continue to monitor air for elevated LEL or VOCs that may threaten safety within the structure or health of occupants.

Continue to contain and maintain oil on Stackyard Hollow.

Continue to coordinate with NPFC relating to a course of action. Consideration of the location of the well underneath an occupied structure will require coordination between OSC and NPFC. At this time although several options for addressing the leaking well can be developed, the safest and surest response actions involve damage to the structure and the need to remove occupants.

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