Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Stackyard Hollow
Wheeling, WV - EPA Region III
POLREP #15
Progress

Printer Friendly | PDF

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

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region III

Subject:

POLREP #15
Progress
Stackyard Hollow
Z3MD
Wheeling, WV
Latitude: 40.0772533 Longitude: -80.7054597

To:

From:

Michael Towle/Debbie Lindsey, On-Scene Coordinators

Date:

4/22/2016

Reporting Period:

4/14/2016 through 4/21/2016

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 Action
NPL Status:		Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	7/13/2015	Start Date:	1/14/2014
Demob Date:	7/16/2015	Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:		RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:	WVDEP
FPN#:	E14302	Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

This incident is an 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 and known as Stackyard Run 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. A pipe was found running between the location of the well and Stackyard Run. Oil discharges from this 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 less than about 25 feet from the flowing water of Stackyard Run and at the end of the above-mentioned pipe. The well is a component of an on-shore production facility that may contain 5 wells and relating equipment according to documents (deeds and leases) reviewed by the OSC.

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

See prior POLREPs.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

See prior POLREPS.

The OSC continues to conduct Assessment activities at this Site. Levels of oil and volatile organic compounds have been routinely monitored in the building positioned atop the well and/or Stackyard Run. The frequency of this activity was curtailed after placement of cement in the wellbore and installation of a system to direct gas emissions outside proved somewhat successful by early September 2015 (see prior POLREPs). Absorbent materials have been placed in Stackyard Run and changed when needed. The amount of oil that appeared in Stackyard Run may have increased after the Removal Actions of the Fall of 2015.  The OSC completed additional evaluation of the Site in December 2015 and determined that additional removal actions are required to mitigate the discharge of oil from the well into Stackyard Run. On December 23, 2015, the OSC completed a re-evaluation of options to stem the discharge of oil from the abandoned oil facility and updated the OPA 90 Removal Project Plan.

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 and surrounding community.

The OSC continues to define a substantial threat to the navigable waters. In addition, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) evaluated the situation and finds the incident to pose a public health hazard requiring continuing monitoring and relocation of the occupants of the structure. The City of Wheeling Health Department has also made similar recommendations. The residents have been relocated by the owner of the property.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative

At this time, an abandoned oil/gas well component to an oil facility has been identified under the residential building and is discharging oil and gas to Stackyard Run and the residential building located atop the well. Last year, EPA directed its contractor to remove oil and debris from the well (using hand methods) to an attainable depth and to place cement into the well. However, it appears that the attempt was not successful and may have increased the migration of oil into Stackyard Run without stopping the flow of gas to the surface of the well and into the overlying structure. Additional actions were required and are now underway.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

See Prior POLREPs for activities through April 13, 2016. Removal of oil and debris from the well continues. Oil and gas continue to be encountered indicating that the EPA activity of Fall 2015 was not successful at preventing the discharge of oil and gas from the facility.

The owner of the building continues to assist EPA.

The drilling rig is constructed inside the apartment building and the drilling method involves keeping the hole full of fluid to circulate and remove oily liquids from the hole into a sealed roll-off box outside. During this period, additional gel was added to the hole to facilitate the removal of debris. The gas in the well interacting with gel caused the gel to foam which then limited its effectiveness.

Operations finally passed through the plugs and debris on April 13 and the bit was advanced to a depth of 223 feet. The amount of gas entering into the gel began to cause problems with the effectiveness of the gel. The gel foamed and WVDEP arranged for operations to try and remove the gas by breaking the size of the gas bubbles. On April 14th the bit was advanced to a depth of 331 feet.

During the week of April 18th, the bit was finally being advanced through open hole. At about 820 feet a difference was again noted and on April 20, the operations again passed into what is believed to be the original failed bottom hole plug. The operations returned wood and red clay. However, it appears that the plug may be composed of brush which is causing the bit to become temporarily tightened against the casing at wood is being caught alongside. At the end of the work week (April 21), the bit had advanced to a depth of 855 and the drillers were still trying to work their way through the brush plug.

WVDEP and the OSC discussed the status of operations. It is believed that the brush plug is the bottom hole plug and once penetrated, the bit will advance out of the casing and then into the oil / gas formation. The plugging strategy can then be finalized. Since the casing is in the hole, it will need to be perforated in order to allow cement to get behind it. The area behind the casing is believed to allow a good portion of the oil and gas to reach the surface.

The AreaRAE system continues to identify detections of VOCs above the alarm level. Most of these detections continue to relate to instances during which the equipment was being fueled or when the engines were started or adjusted. However, during this period the gas releasing from the gel was also noticeable near the tank, but not at the perimeter of the operations. Detections above the alarm limits were not sustained.

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

See Prior POLREPs.

WVDEP located records for the well (and 2 other nearby wells). The records indicated the well owner to be C.G. Broaddus and that the well was plugged. The plugging affidavit indicated that casing pipes were pulled from the well and the well was plugged in a manner prescribed by the State in 1949. The OSC originally believed that plugging did not occur due to the discovery of the 2 inch tubing and sucker rods in the well at about 35 feet. However, it has subsequently been determined that the well had indeed been plugged, but in a manner not documented on the plugging affidavit.

The OSC examined court records and consulted a civil investigator. There is no record of the whereabouts of C.G. Broaddus.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

The table below reflects disposal from the Site through April 21, 2016

*Waste Stream*	*Medium*	*Quantity*	*Manifest #*	*Treatment*	*Disposal*
oil	solids	4 - 55-gallon drums			X
oil	oily liquids	4364 gallons			X
oil	oil solids	2 tons			X

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Continue drilling/milling activities. This activity will continue until a depth can be reached suitable to plug the leaking well and stop the flow of oil to the surface.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

Continue drilling.

Continue air monitoring.

Continue removal of oil from Stackyard Run (note that the amount of oil now in Stackyard Run is significantly reduced since it is now being minimized by a column of fluid and gel in the well and also circulated from the well into the sealed box).

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

Continue drilling.

2.2.2 Issues

The EPA activities of 2015 did not enter the actual well. Instead, the drillers advanced alongside the outside of the actual well and installed cement initially into this new hole. Some cement however entered the actual well and had to be drilled out to allow for removal operations.

Drilling activities inside the building with the available rig are somewhat limiting; the length of the individual drill rods (about 5 feet) cause for a labor intensive operation.

The difficulty in drilling through the cement placed by EPA in 2015, the failed plug and obstruction (believed to be a tool used to set the top plug), and the type of plug used by the well owner (brush plug such as the tip of a pine tree) have caused unexpected delays. Additionally, the large amount of gel will cause an increase in the disposal funds. As such, the funding is sufficient to complete the operations.

2.3 Logistics Section