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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
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Response Authority: |
OPA |
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Response Type: |
Emergency |
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Response Lead: |
PRP |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
6/20/2014 |
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Start Date: |
6/20/2014 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
TBD |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Active Production Facility (Oil)
1.1.2 Site Description
1.1.2.1 Location
The Site is located approximately 1-mile southeast of the corner of County Road 23 and County Road 64 3/4 in Weld County, Colorado. The nearest town is Windsor, Colorado. The approximate latitude and longitude of the site is 40.444275 and -104.845077. Initial information indicates the site is privately owned and leased to Noble Energy.
The area is rural. A recreational bike and walking trail is just to the south of the site on the opposite side of the river.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Noble Energy shut down its production wells at the Site on May 24, 2014 due to imminent flooding along the Cache la Poudre River. Representatives from Noble Energy were able to access the Site on June 20, 2014 once the flood waters had receeded and discovered that one of the two production tanks at the Site had failed. Noble Energy then informed the National Response Center at 14:31 MDT on June 20, 2014 that 178 barrels of crude oil had been discharged.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
OSC McComb arrived at the Site at approximately 16:00 MDT on June 20, 2014. The OSC's inspection indicated that the flood waters had slightly dislodged one of the production tanks which resulted in the failure of a fitting on a valve at the base of the tank. Most of the oil that was reported lost appeared to have discharged to the river. The attached map (which can be found in the images section of the Site's EPA website) shows the approximate pathway that the oil took to the river. The OSC identified slight and irregular impacts to the northern banks of the river within 1/4 miles of the discharge location.
The OSC witnessed no sheen nor free product in the river.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
Noble Energy and their contracted response team (Custom Environmental Services) are performing collection and remediation activities.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Absorbent socks where placed along the shoreline at the point of discharge as a precaution. Observable free product both in the tanks and between the tanks and the river was removed using a vacuum truck. This material was transferred to a nearby facility operated by the Noble Energy. Absorbent pads were aggressively applied to collect any remaining material and a surface washing agent (Petro Green) was used to remediate impacted soils.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Noble Energy is the Reporting Party.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
Not applicable.
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
The production tanks will be removed and the most highly impacted soil from around the tanks will be excavated. Due to the damage that excavation would cause to the vegetation between the tanks and the river, the impacted locations in that area will be left to recover naturally.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
EPA's OSC does not anticipate further threat to navigable waters of the United States but will continue to monitor the situation.
The State of Colorado's Oil and Gas Conservation Commission will direct additional remediation efforts. EPA will provide support as requested.
2.2.2 Issues
None to report.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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Not applicable.
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2.4 Finance Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.5 Other Command Staff
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2.5.1 Safety Officer
Not applicable.
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
Not applicable.
2.5.3 Information Officer
There has been media interest in the incident.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
The response effort was guided by a collaborative effort of EPA, COGCC, Weld County and Noble Energy.
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
State of Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment
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4. Personnel On Site
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EPA Resources:
1 On Scene Coordinator
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5. Definition of Terms
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EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
COGCC: Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
OSC: On Scene Coordinator
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
www.epaosc.org/PoudreTankSpill
6.2 Reporting Schedule
A Final PolRep is anticipated during the week of June 23, 2014.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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None.
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