From 7 May through 14 May 2012 ExxonMobil Pipeline (Exxon) and its contractors continued 24 hour cleanup activities associated with the spill.  The vast majority of spilled oil within Bayou Cholpe has been recovered to the extent possible with mechanical means.  Small quantities of oil remain adhered to soil on the banks of the bayou, debris, and some vegetation.  The affected sections of the bayou remain controlled within containment boom located approximately 0.15 mile north from the terminus of the smaller drainage ditch and 0.45 miles south of the Hwy. 190 Bridge.  Oil within the drainage ditches, from the spill site to Bayou Cholpe has been isolated and Exxon has installed boom and an underflow structure to limit the amount of oil entering the bayou during storm events.  The majority of contaminated soils from the spill site, the spill path prior to entering the area drainage ditch system, and the smaller drainage ditch were removed to reduce further transference of oil to Bayou Cholpe. 

During this reporting period, the on-water recovery efforts were conducted by maintaining collection points throughout the affected area, primarily concentrating on three points: the spill terminus in zone C; the Hwy. 190 bridge; and at the Enterprise pipeline crossing in zone C. In addition to these major collection points, crews mobilized resources to address hotspots when necessary.   Crews used drum skimmers, direct vacuuming, adsorbent boom, and adsorbent pads to remove oil from the drainage ditch and Bayou Cholpe.  Vacuum trucks (up to 27), skid mounted vacuum units (up to 5), and skimmers were utilized to recover oil from the water surface.  An airboat was placed within Bayou Cholpe and used airflow from the propeller to push oil along the water surface to collection points.  Crews in boats and along the shoreline also used low pressure high volume pumps to provide means to use water to guide oil towards the collection areas.  Logjams and debris fields were cleared from Bayou Cholpe to facilitate flow and recovery.  Oiled debris within Bayou Cholpe is being retrieved and placed within roll-off boxes.  Crews cleared oiled vegetation at the overland portion of the spill, along the drainage ditch system, and along the Bayou.  By the end of this reporting period Exxon had demobilized all skid mounted vacuum units, skimmers, the majority of the vacuum trucks, and had discontinued recovery efforts during the night shift.   Crews used vacuum trucks on a limited basis along the drainage ditch system, removing isolated pockets of oil from the surface.

Recovered oil/water was either placed within fractionation tanks for separation and storage or contained within the vacuum truck.  Vacuum trucks transported recovered oil/water from the site to Exxon's Anchorage facility in Port Allen, Louisiana to dedicated storage tanks for reprocessing.  Exxon reported an estimated 7,864 bbls of oil and water were removed from the environment and after allowing for separation, approximately 2,100 bbls of oil has been recovered as of 10 May 2012.

Exxon crews continued excavation and assessment activities at the ruptured section of pipeline and the overland contaminated sections (1 and 2).  Impacted soil was excavated and placed within roll-off boxes.  Samples were collected from the roll-off boxes and analyzed for disposal parameters.  Results indicate the material is nonhazardous allowing for disposal at Waste Management's Woodside facility in Walker, LA.  Exxon began the transportation and disposal of contaminated soil during the reporting period.  Approximately 1,000 cubic yards of soil weighing approximately XX tons, were delivered to the Woodside facility by the end of this reporting period.  Repairs to the pipeline were completed on 8 May, 2012; however, the pipeline remains out of commission until US Department of Transportation reinstates the pipeline for use.

Exxon continued air monitoring for personnel safety throughout the work areas.  Air monitoring included the use of Photoionization Detector (PID) instuments and a Draeger Chip System.  If benzene levels exceeded Exxon’s action level of 0.5 ppm, crews in the area of concern donned respirators.

The underflow dam across Bayou Cholpe approximately 0.1 miles upstream of Jack Torres road bridge remains in place.  The dam was constructed to prevent further migration of oil during significant rainfall; however the dam has been overtopped twice during the reporting period. 

Transition of the site from an emergency response to a remedial action is expected by the end of the week.  Exxon is coordinating with the LDEQ to determine cleanup standards for impacted soils.