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(E13611) Exxon Pipeline Mayflower Arkansas Oil Spill

All POL/SITREP's for this site (E13611) Exxon Pipeline Mayflower Arkansas Oil Spill
Mayflower, AR - EPA Region VI
POLREP #10
Progress Report 		Printer Friendly  |   PDF
 
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
(E13611) Exxon Pipeline Mayflower Arkansas Oil Spill - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region VI
Subject: POLREP #10
Progress Report
(E13611) Exxon Pipeline Mayflower Arkansas Oil Spill

Mayflower, AR
Latitude: 34.9638070 Longitude: -92.4286530

To:
From: Nicolas Brescia, OSC
Date: 4/16/2013
Reporting Period: 04/14/-04/16/2013

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number:      Contract Number:  
D.O. Number:      Action Memo Date:  
Response Authority: OPA    Response Type: Emergency
Response Lead: PRP    Incident Category: Removal Assessment
NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date: 3/29/2013    Start Date: 3/29/2013
Demob Date:      Completion Date:  
CERCLIS ID:    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification:
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category
Transportation-Related: Pipeline Spill

1.1.2 Site Description

1.1.2.1 Location
The pipeline spill occurred in a residential neighborhood in Mayflower, Faulkner County, Arkansas (34.963807 Latitude, -92.428653 Longitude).  Approximately 21 homes were evacuated in the neighborhood due to elevated VOC readings and due to the amount of oil present on the ground and in the street.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The damaged pipeline released Wabasca heavy crude oil into the North Woods Subdivision.  Crude oil then flowed west along N. Starlite Road, into a bar ditch adjacent to a Union Pacific Railroad line, into an unnamed creek, and into a tributary to a cove of Lake Conway.  Lake Conway is a tributary to the Arkansas River.  Local residents have been evacuated from 21 homes due to elevated levels of VOCs and benzene detected in the source area of the spill. 

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
The source was a Pegasus Line that connects Patoka, IL to Nederland, TX, approximately 850 miles long.  The 20-inch pipeline has a capacity of 95,000 barrels per day.  The pipeline is buried 24 inches deep with a distance of 18 miles between isolation valves.  The pipeline release began Friday afternoon 29 March 2013.  The break in the line was isolated and the pipeline stopped leaking oil at approximately 0300 hours 30 March 2013.  The RP is estimating approximately 2,000 bbl of oil has been released.
2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    2.1.1 Narrative

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

April 14 - April 16, 2013
 
EPA/START has conducted a total of 3 residential re-entry surveys.  All residences were found to be non-detect for VOCs and benzene.

START continued daily routine air monitoring throughout the impacted neighborhood.  There were no significant readings for VOCs.

OSCs Mason and McAteer replaced OSCs Leos and Martin.  OSC Rhotenberry transitioned with OSC Brescia.

Exxon crews removed and replaced the broken pipeline.  The damaged pipeline was transported to an independent third-party laboratory for metallurgy testing;  Several news media outlets covered the event.   

 

Unified Command agreed to change the operational period to 7 days. 


Unfied Command began planning / implementation of air sampling as part of the re-entry process for residences. 

The RP continues removal of a portion of the storm sewer and water line adjacent to Starlite Lane to remove small amounts of oil which is under the lines. 

 

EPA Region 6 issued a press release on April 13th concerning the 308 letter issued by EPA and the response from the RP. 

 

Cleanup is almost complete in the affected section between North Main Road and the interstate highway (I-40).  Restoration of the site to its previous state will follow. 

ADEQ continues to sample Lake Conway to verify no oil present. 

 

Approximately 29,018 bbl oil/water mixture has been collected to date.




2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The Pegasus pipeline is operated by ExxonMobil Pipeline Company.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal
Oil and Water    29,018*  bbl      
         
         
           
* Total Volume to Date wasrecently and will be re-calculated again next reporting period.


2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Unified Command will continue to provide the community and media with high priority and responsiveness.  Execute approved plans and assess progress on daily basis.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
EPA/START and RP’s contractor will continue independent area air monitoring to identify VOC levels in the impacted residential areas.

Continue the re-entry process for the evacuated residents

Continue recovery of relatively small amounts of remaining oil and oiled debris.

At least two members of the House of Representatives will be visiting the site on Sunday.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
For planning purposes, began development of smooth transition from the response phase to the long-term assessment and remediation phase.

2.2.2 Issues

There continues to be high interest from local and national media and activist groups.
  2.2 Planning Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.3 Logistics Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.4 Finance Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.5 Other Command Staff
    No information available at this time.
3. Participating Entities
  3.1 Unified Command
ExxonMobil Representatives
Federal and State Agencies

3.2 Cooperating Agencies
Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality
Arkansas Department of Emergency Management
Arkansas Game and Fish
Arkansas Department of Health
Faulkner County Emergency Management
Mayflower Fire Department
Mayflower Police Department
Faulkner County Judge
US FWS
4. Personnel On Site
  4 - EPA personnel (Incident Command, Planning, Operations, PIO)

2 - EPA START personnel (air monitoring)
5. Definition of Terms
  RP - Responsible Party
6. Additional sources of information
  6.1 Internet location of additional information/report

www.epaosc.org/exxonmayflower

6.2 Reporting Schedule

Operational Period of 72 hours.
7. Situational Reference Materials
  No information available at this time.