1.1.1 Incident Category

Emergency Response, Oil Spill

1.1.2 Site Description
On 24 October 2016, Enterprise Products (Enterprise) notified the National Response Center (NRC) of a discharge of crude oil from a 30-inch transmission pipeline in Cushing, Lincoln County, Oklahoma. According to Enterprise representatives the break was discovered at approximately 2325 hours on 23 October 2016. An initial report to the NRC ( No. 1162329) estimated 5,000 bbl. of crude oil was discharged from the pipeline. At 0149 hours (local time), Enterprise representative reported to the NRC (No. 1162334) the estimate was revised to the worst-case discharge of 50,000 bbl. based on the total capacity of oil contained between the nearest pipeline block valves. Enterprise reports the two block valves are 13-mile apart. An early report to the NRC (No. 1162328) was made by the local county Emergency Management representative indicating an unknown volume. The spilled crude oil is an API 41.5 gravity sweet crude.

1.1.2.1 Location
The incident is located immediately adjacent to the Enterprise Cushing East Terminal along Linwood Road (CR 3510) and approximately 500 feet south of Texaco Road (CR E740). The 30-inch pipeline is identified as the Seaway pipeline, originating at the Cushing East Terminal and terminating at the Jones Creek Terminal near Freeport, Texas.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

The spillway pathway involves a portion of CR 3510 immediately south of CR E740. The oil traveled approximately south 460 feet along the road ditch, then east and southeast for approximately 1000 feet before being contained in a 0.8 acre impoundment used as a fire water pond on Enbridge property.  The EPA Team visually confirmed oil had not migrated downstream of this pond. However if oil were to overflow this impoundment, another larger 15-acre fire pond is downstream and would retain the spilled oil.  An unnamed intermittent stream is located approximately 0.6 miles downstream of the incident and Wildhorse Creek is located approximately 1.0 miles down gradient of the impacted pond. It is estimated that based on the pond size, depth of the oil of about 18", some soil assimilation, and length of the spill path, closely to 8,800 bbls were actually spilled, which is significantly less than the earlier report of 50,000 bbls. Enterprise will eventually conduct an investigation for a more accurate spilled volume calculation.

Oil recovery, road surface washing, and exposing the impacted section of the buried pipeline.

2.1.1 Narrative

Enterprise initiated oil recovery during the morning of 24 October and plans to utilize 24-hour response operations until oil is removed from the containment pond and the county road is reopened.  About 15 to 17 response crew during both day and nights operations are actively involved in oil recovery efforts. One OSRO, Future Environmental is performing oil recovery operations and Apex Environmental is on-scene providing air monitoring and EH&S support.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

The EPA team has performed air monitoring activity at the incident scene, along the incident perimeter, and the nearest residence over a mile away.  Air monitoring parameters utilized are O2%, LEL%, CO ppm, H2S ppm, and VOCs ppm.  VOC concentrations ranging between 26 and 48 ppm were observed during oil recovery efforts at the impacted pond.  All other concentrations and locations were observed at background concentrations or zero, respectively. Lincoln County Emergency Management has also conducted air monitoring at the facility perimeter and the nearby community and has not detected any contaminant of concern.

Enterprise response activities include oil recovery from the impacted pond utilizing vacuum trucks and a 12 frac-tank and high efficiency pump system that is being setup to assist with the vacuum operations.  At the source of the spill crews are washing the oil-affected road surface and hydro-excavating the soil around the impacted pipeline section to expose the break and initiate the investigation as to the cause. The remaining oil in the pipeline at the time it was shut down is also being pumped out by vacuum trucks.  Recovered oil is being re-injected into Enterprise’s Cushing East Terminal system.  Enterprise intends to excavate oil-affected soil for treatment and/or disposal in coordination with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife.  As of 1745 hours on 24 October, 2605 bbls of crude oil have been recovered by the response efforts and about 8" of oil remained within the pond.

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

Based on interviews with Enterprise, DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), and the OCC, it was determined that the responsible party for the impacted pipeline is Enterprise Products as they are the owner and operator of the pipeline/facility.  Enterprise uses the pipeline to also transport oil from other companies that operate terminals within the Cushing, OK tank farm area.  At the time of the spill, the pipeline was transporting oil owned by Enbridge who owns and operates the terminal next to Enterprise, where the fire pond is located.  FOSC Bernier issued a Notice of Federal Interest to Enterprise.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics
As of 0700 hours on 25 October 2016.

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Response operations are anticipated to continue until oil is recovered from the spill pathway and the pond.  A 6-inch high pressure pump to be connected to a 12 frac-tank set is being arranged to further recover oil from the affected pond.  The 12 frac-tanks are being interconnected to receive recovered crude oil, in addition with the vac-truck operations already on-going.  Recovered crude oil will be re-injected into Enterprise’s Cushing East Terminal system. Crews continue to expose the pipeline section where the break occurred in order to conduct an official investigation as to the cause. That part of the response is being coordinated with staff from PHMSA already on site.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

At this time response and oil recovery resources appear to be adequate. Response efforts will continue on a 24-hour basis until all the free product is recovered. Flushing activities will be initiated within the next operational period.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

The EPA team will remain on site overseeing the response activities until all the free product is recovered and the threat of a discharge to the creek is eliminated.

2.2.2 Issues

None at this time

3.1 Unified Command
Since no significant changes to operations are expected, a basic unified command has been established with only short operational briefing at shift changes to facilitate transition.  Not all the cooperating agencies participate at the briefings but are kept updated of progress.

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

PHMSA, OCC, ODEQ, Lincoln County EM, and local PD/FD.