Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Stackyard Hollow
Wheeling, WV - EPA Region III
POLREP #6
Progress of Continuing Assessment Activity

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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 #6
Progress of Continuing Assessment Activity
Stackyard Hollow
Z3MD
Wheeling, WV
Latitude: 40.0772533 Longitude: -80.7054597

To:

From:

Michael Towle, On-Scene Coordinator

Date:

4/1/2015

Reporting Period:

10/20/14 through 3/31/15

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 into navigable waters of the United States 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 perennial tributary of Wheeling Creek located in Ohio County, West Virginia. The tributary is mapped in 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 Run 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 Run.  The source of the oil has been determined to be at least one abandoned and leaking oil well found underneath a nearby residential dwelling. The well is about 25 feet from the flowing water of Stackyard Run 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 Run 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.

Based upon available information, the OSC had determined that 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. Continued monitoring of the situation between October 2014 and March 2015 indicates that the daily discharge of oil is likely not as high as originally estimated (1 gallon) and is likely closer to 1 pint.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

See prior POLREPS.

The OSC has continued Assessment activities at the Site. Levels of oil and volatile organic compounds have been routinely monitored in the building and/or Stackyard Run every few days or so. Absorbent materials have been placed and changed when needed.

Between October 2014 and the present, the levels of organic compounds in the building have ranged from 2 to 266 ppm (the next highest value is 79 ppm). The Lower Explosive Limit has ranged between 0 and 15% (the next highest value is 8%). These values have been detected very close to the location of the well and at ground level. Levels in the remainder of the building space are much lower.

Between October 2014 and the present, the amount of oil on Stackyard Run has varied from non-detectable to a heavy rainbow sheen.

The presence of the occupied structure atop the well, the difficulties in removing the building to access the well, the very close proximity of residents and utilities to the leaking well, the limited space available to conduct response actions, and the poor condition of the culvert will make effective removal actions particularly difficult to undertake. The cost of the actions are also being weighed against the threats.

The OSC is presently coordinating with WVDEP and others to develop and evaluate options available for actions to address the discharge of oil from the well. Any action will necessarily need to take into account the presence of the structure atop the building, the close proximity of residents to the work area, the very limited space available for response operations, and the safety of responders and residents alike. The OSC is evaluating options that may involve blocking access to portions of the community, accessing the well from through the side, accessing the well through the roof of the structure and conducting partial or complete removal of the structure. All actions consider the safety of responders, safety of residents, effectiveness of operations, probability of success, and cost (considering the magnitude of the threat). The OSC will communicate with NPFC relating to available option and the implementation of actions.

The owner of the building continues to assist EPA and WVDEP through maintenance of building ventilation and direct ventilation of the well to the outside. This activity continues to contribute to the present level of safety in the building.

On March 31, 2015, the level of fluid in the vent stack was observed to be below the level of the floor. Yellow oil was again emerging from the pipe in the culvert and dripping down the wall of the culvert. The plug previously placed in this pipe had deflated.   EPA and WVDEP removed the plug since it had not contributed much to mitigate the discharge. It does not appear that oil is presently emerging into the structure itself. The OSC and WVDEP now believe that the amount of oil discharging from the well is intermittent and will likely remain relatively the same over time.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative

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, 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 POLREPs for activities through October 20, 2014.

EPA continued routine air monitoring within and outside of the structure. The monitoring is necessary to assure that elevated LEL does not exist in the structure and that the owner can modify ventilation to reduce the levels. To date, ventilation has been adjusted several times (mostly due to cold weather adjustments) to allow for both proper heating and proper ventilation of the area of the well. LEL and VOC readings continue to indicate effective ventilation and suitable conditions for residents.

Between October 2014 and the present, the levels of organic compounds in the building have ranged from 2 to 266 ppm (the next highest value is 79 ppm). The Lower Explosive Limit has ranged between 0 and 15% (the next highest value is 8%). These values have been detected very close to the location of the well and at ground level. Levels in the remainder of the building space are much lower.

Between October 2014 and the present, the amount of oil on Stackyard Run has varied from non-detectable to a heavy rainbow sheen. The OSC continues to arrange for deployment and maintenance, as needed, of absorbent pads and boom to contain and remove oil.

The OSC continued coordination with NPFC Case Officer.

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 although a Sanborn fire insurance map from 1922 shows several wells along Joan Street including the subject well. Through a courthouse deed and lease search, the well was found to exist on Lots # 4 and #5. An oil lease relating to the subject property was initially executed with Seybold and then conveyed to Octo Oil Company and then 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 Lots #4 and #5 which includes 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 continues to evaluate the identification of a potential Responsible Party.

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 oil and maintain absorbent materials on Stackyard Run.

Continue to coordinate with NPFC relating to a course of action. 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