1.1.1 Incident Category

 
OPA Spill Response

1.1.2 Site Description

On 15 June 2016, Urban Oil and Gas reported an oil spill to the National Response Center (NRC).  The spill volume was unknown at the time of the report but indicated that oil had impacted Deer Creek near Kamay, Wichita County, Texas.  The NRC assigned the incident #1150760.   

1.1.2.1 Location

The oil spill occurred the Pace Homestead Lease tank battery (TXRRC #13579) located at  33.880670° N latitude and 98.773187° W latitude near Deer Creek, and the community of Kemay, Wichita County, Texas.  Deer Creek is a tributary of the Wichita River, located approximately 1.25 miles downstream.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

An estimated 69 barrels of crude oil discharged from an oil storage tank that was suspected to have corroded at the base of the tank to the point of failure, resulting in the discharge.  At the time of the discharge, the water drain valve within the secondary containment berm was unplugged, allowing the discharged oil to escape secondary containment.  The discharged oil flowed downhill via land surface drainage gullies and entered Deer Creek approximately 710 feet down-gradient of the tank battery. Deer Creek is a tributary of the Wichita River, located approximately 1.25 miles downstream of the point of discharge.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

Following the discovery of the oil spill on 15 June 2016, the RP (Urban Oil and Gas) began oil spill response operations.  The RP’s initial oil spill response mainly consisted of oil containment within Deer Creek to prevent further migration of the oil into the Wichita River.  The RP contained the spilled oil within an estimated 5,350 feet of Deer Creek through deployment of sorbent boom at three locations downstream of the spill site.  Hay bales placed and Sphag Sorb applied to contain and collect oil.  In addition to containment operations, the RP began utilizing three vacuum trucks and approximately 10 company personnel to remove oil from within Deer Creek, and a bulldozer to begin removal of oil impacted soil and clear roads to allow oil recovery equipment to access recovery locations. 

EPA mobilized its START-3 contractor to the incident to observe the RP’s oil spill response activities and identify the impacts of the oil discharge.  They arrived on scene the morning of 16 June 16, 2016 and were able to coordinate with representatives from the RP.

On 16 June 2016, the RP continued oil removal operations with the same level of personnel and equipment resources onsite. An underflow dam was constructed at the most downstream oil boom location within Deer Creek.  RP also deployed additional sorbent boom and pads at recovery locations to control oil and sheen migration downstream. Personnel moved oil downstream to recovery locations utilizing leaf blowers.  No free oil was observed downstream of the underflow dam.

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

The Responsible Partly associated with the spill scene is Urban Oil and Gas, 1000 E. 14th Street, Plano, TX 75074.  EPA OSC Ruhl issued them a Notice of Federal Interest (NOFI) letter to the RP on 16 June 2016.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

The RP is expected to maintain the level of resources responding to the incident.  The RP is expected to continue to contain and actively recover oil from Deer Creek.  OSC Ruhl and the RP discussed cleanup objectives which included the recovery and proper disposal of recoverable oil, oil impacted soil and oil impacted vegetation. 

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

Oil response and recovery operations.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

During the 17 June 2016 operations, the RP will continue oil removal, and begin oil impacted debris and soil removal, as well as conduct water washing of the banks of Deer Creek.

2.2.2 Issues

3.1 Unified Command
Texas Railroad Commission (TXRRC)

3.2 Cooperating Agencies