1.1.1 Incident Category

Oil Pollution Act response. Crude oil is impacting the Obey River near Alpine, Tennessee.

1.1.2 Site Description

The Site consists of abandoned oil wells on located on farmland along the Wilder Highway east of Alpine, Tenn. At least four wells have been identified which were never plugged properly. Crude oil is impacting the West Fork of the Obey River, east of the farm along its left descending bank.

1.1.2.1 Location

400 Wilder Highway, Alpine, Overton County, Tennessee

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Crude oil from improperly plugged oil wells in the vicinity of the West Fork of the Obey River.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

2.1.1 Narrative

Since the initial response on June 2 - 5, 2016, the Emergency Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contractors have conducted "maintenance trips" to restore the collection pool area after heavy rain events. Typically, a one-inch rain event will raise Obey River levels 2-4 feet thereby washing out the collection pool area. 

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

On Thursday, August 25, the OSC met with TDEC Oil and Gas representative and two TDEC contractors in an attempt to find one of the abandoned well located southwest of the spill area.  All parties surveyed a 2-3-acre area along the farm’s wood-line looking for the abandoned well, but no well was located. Two other wells, south of the spill area, appear to have residual oil at a depth of 270 feet.

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

A fourth well, southeast of the spill on an adjacent farm was identified, and access was granted for sampling and potential plugging, by the property owner, on Thursday, Aug 25, 2016. They do not own mineral rights to the property.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

This Additional Funding Request - OPA 90 Work Plan is being drafted for $90,000 in order to: (1) continue clean up efforts at the source, (2) find the fourth well, (3) sample any residual oil from each well and "fingerprint" the oil to the crude oil at the spill source by the USCG Marine Safety Lab. Any remaining funds will be used to begin well plugging operations of the suspected well.   

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

TDEC Oil and Gas has knowledge of four abandoned wells in the vicinity of the spill. One well was apparently plugged within the last 15 years. One well to the southwest of the spill area has yet to be found. The OSC plans to have ERRS contractors clear the brush in the area and START contractors survey the area with a magnetometer to find any remaining surface or well casing. At that point, all wells will be sampled for residual oil and a "fingerprint" analysis will be performed by the USCG Marine Safety Lab in an effort to "match" the leaking well to the crude oil source. The suspected well or wells will then be methodically plugged. Again, TDEC reports that these wells are 1500-1800 feet deep, so plugging operations are anticipated to be a significant effort.   

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

2.2.2 Issues

3.1 Unified Command

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

TDEC Oil and Gas Jeff Patton and Oakley Hall continue to support assessment and clean up activities.