On 1 December 2014, a spill of crude oil from the Cobb et al B-1 well, Serial #97981, located at 10165 Masters Rd, in Mooringsport, Louisiana, was reported by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR).  The Cobb et al B-1 well is considered abandoned/orphaned by the LDNR.  Although the total volume of oil released is unknown, initial EPA estimates are approximately 30 barrels (bbls).  The oil discharged onto surrounding soil and vegetation, and then released directly into an adjacent creek east of the Cobb et al B-1 well. 

1.1.1 Incident Category
The site is an inactive production facility, and the incident is considered an Oil Pollution Act (OPA) funded site. 

1.1.2 Site Description
1.1.2.1 Location
The spill origin is located adjacent to an above ground high voltage transmission line right of way in Mooringsport, LA , Latitude: 32.52975067° North, Longitude 94.036338759° West.  After entering a creek adjacent to the spill origin, crude oil flowed downstream to the south-southeast.  The initial estimated spill pathway distance between the origin and the most downstream impacted area is approximately 0.3 miles.  The stream distance between the spill origin and the most downstream containment, located at the Alexander B1 well, Serial #93964, is approximately 0.7 miles.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Crude oil impacted soil, vegetation, and water between the spill origin and a fork in a tributary that flows into the Paw Paw Bayou, located at Latitude:  32.526228° North, 94.033673° West.  The Paw Paw Bayou flows east into Cross Lake, a navigable body of water located in Shreveport, Louisiana. 

The incident was reported 1 December 2014, but the actual release date and duration of the release is unknown. 

On 2 December 2014 at 1504, On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) Mike McAteer activated the Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) and Emergency and Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contractors.

The EPA Team (OSC, START, and ERRS) arrived onsite at approximately 0900 on 3 December 2014.  The EPA Team performed a preliminary assessment to determine the need to remove potentially hazardous substances from the well site and spill area. 

During the initial assessment, crude oil was observed actively purging from a pinhole leak on the well, discharging onto the surrounding ground before entering an adjacent creek.  ERRS was directed to begin clearing a path to the creek, begin initial debris removal, and boom placement in the bayou.  START tracked the spill pathway, and initial distance is an estimated 0.3 miles. The LDNR representative asked for assistance from a local well drilling company in the area to repair the leak. One live oiled snake (water mocassin) was observed on the bank of the creek.  No other impacts to wildlife were initially observed.

The initial recovery team consisted of five (5) ERRS crew members and one vacuum truck. 

On 3 December 2014, START tracked the spill pathway, and initial distance is an estimated 0.3 miles.  ERRS placed boom (hard and absorbent) in the creek to contain the oil and prevent any further downstream impact.  Boom was placed at the farthest point downstream where no further oil was observed.  ERRS also began to use absorbent pads to remove oil from the creek and initiated oil contaminated debris removal from the creek.

On 4 December 2014, an additional four (4) ERRS crew members and one (1) ERRS Response Manager (RM) arrived, increasing the recovery team to a total of 1 RM, 1 foreman and 8 laborers.  Pooled crude oil at the spill origin was collected utilizing the vacuum truck, and oily debris was manually collected from the creek and placed into poly bags for disposal. Approximately 750 gallons of crude oil and 153 bags of oil debris were collected. An excavator, two 20 cubic yard (yd3) roll-off containers, additional absorbent supplies, and the EPA’s Logistics Response Vehicle (LRV-2) arrived onsite to support the incident. Earthen works between the spill origin and the creek were constructed to prevent additional releases to the creek in anticipation of forecasted rain events.

On 5 December 2014, excavation of visibly impacted soils around the spill origin was conducted and stockpiled onsite for future disposal.  A sample of the stockpile was collected by ERRS and submitted for analysis to characterize the impacted soil.  Debris removal and placement of absorbent pads in the creek continued.

On 6 December 2014, excavation activities continued at the spill origin, working down gradient towards the spill pathway.  ERRS utilized absorbent pads to wipe crude oil from the pumping unit, and continued debris removal and placement of absorbent pads in the creek.  EPA and START conducted reconnaissance along the creek to ensure the release did not migrate further than the most downstream containment located at the Alexander B1 well.  In addition, an inspection of the Paw Paw Bayou was conducted where it intersects Louisiana Hwy 169 and where the bayou enters Cross Lake (nearest navigable waterway).  No crude oil or sheen was observed at either area.

On 7 December 2014, recovery efforts were focused at the most downstream impacted area, removing pooled crude oil via vacuum truck and manually removing oiled debris. An additional reconnaissance of the spill pathway was conducted by the OSC and START to plan for additional cleanup activities, and to prepare for closeout operations. 

On 8 December 2014, four (4) additional ERRS personnel were mobilized to the site to increase recovery efforts in the spill pathway, specifically the most downstream impacted area.  The spill origin area was graded, and engineer controls for stormwater runoff were constructed to detain excess stormwater runoff and discharging it at a slower rate in anticipation of forecasted rain events.

On 9 December 2014, ERRS personnel continued cleanup operations of the spill pathway, conducting manual removal of oil impacted debris from two (2) heavily affected areas.  In addition to oil impacted debris removal, ERRS cleared debris upstream of the spill origin to increase water flow for flushing and bank-washing operations.  A water truck was also used to conduct flushing of the impacted areas of the waterway.  Additional erosion protection measures were constructed at the spill origin by terracing the area immediately down gradient.

On 10 December 2014, representatives of the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinators Office (LOSCO) arrived onsite, and the spill pathway was evaluated with the OSC and START.  ERRS continued cleanup operations by manually removing oil impacted debris and flushing of the waterway.

On 11 December 2014, the vacuum truck utilized to remove crude oil from the spill pathway was demobilized.  Transport and disposal of stockpiled impacted soil was scheduled, but waste profile approval from the disposal facility did not happen until after 1500 hours.  Due to ongoing rain, and forecasted showers through 15 December, 2014, transport and disposal of stockpiled impacted soil was tentatively rescheduled for 16 December, 2014.  A bulldozer arrived and staged onsite to assist with road maintenance during ingress and egress of trucks transporting impacted soil.

On 12 December 2014, an evaluation of the spill pathway was conducted with EPA, START and ERRS.  As a result of the evaluation, it was determined a reduction of onsite personnel would begin after completion of the work day.  Cleanup operations continued within the waterway, with efforts concentrated on continuous application of absorbent booms and pads throughout the spill pathway.  At the close of business, the OSC demobilized from the site.

On 13 December 2014, START and ERRS personnel demobilized from the job site, with three (3) ERRS personnel remaining onsite to maintain the continuous application of absorbent booms and pads throughout the spill pathway.

On 16 December 2014, liquid and clean-out waste was removed from the onsite frac tank for transport and disposal.  Twelve (12) loads of 3” base rock was delivered by 10 yd3 dump trucks to construct a road to the impacted soil stockpile area.  After the road was constructed, six (6) loads of impacted soil was transported and disposed by 10 yd3 dump trucks at an authorized facility.  Three (3) roll-off containers with bags of oil impacted debris were also transported offsite and disposed at an authorized facility.  ERRS personnel continued manual removal of oil impacted debris and the continuous application of absorbent booms and pads throughout the spill pathway. 

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Continue oil recovery operations (boom and pad change outs) from the creek
Transport characterized excavated soils from the spill origin point to an authorized disposal facility
Transport and dispose of remaining roll-off containers
Return spill origin area to pre-spill conditions

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

2.2.2 Issues

No information available at this time.

3 December 2014

• EPA OSC – 1

• START (Weston) – 2

• ERRS (SWS) – 5

4 December 2014

•  EPA OSC – 1

• START (Weston) – 2

• ERRS (SWS) – 9

5 December 2014

• EPA OSC – 1

• START (Weston) – 2

• ERRS (SWS) – 9

6 December 2014

• EPA OSC – 1

• START (Weston) – 2

• ERRS (SWS) – 9

7 December 2014

• EPA OSC – 1

• START (Weston) – 2

• ERRS (SWS) – 9

8 December 2014

• EPA OSC – 1

• START (Weston) – 2

• ERRS (SWS) – 15

9 December 2014

• EPA OSC – 1

• START (Weston) – 2

• ERRS (SWS) – 15

10 December 2014

• EPA OSC – 1

• START (Weston) – 2

• ERRS (SWS) – 15

11 December 2014

• EPA OSC – 1

• START (Weston) – 2

• ERRS (SWS) – 14

12 December 2014

• EPA OSC – 1

• START (Weston) – 1

• ERRS (SWS) – 13

13 December 2014

• EPA OSC – 0

• START (Weston) – 1

• ERRS (SWS) – 3

14 December 2014

• EPA OSC – 0

• START (Weston) – 0

• ERRS (SWS) – 0

15 December 2014

• EPA OSC – 0

• START (Weston) – 1

• ERRS (SWS) – 0

16 December 2014

• EPA OSC – 0

• START (Weston) – 1

• ERRS (SWS) – 7

bbls – barrels

EPA – Environmental Protection Agency

ERRS – Emergency and Rapid Response Services

LDNR – Louisiana Department of Natural Resources

LOSCO – Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office

LRV – Logistics Response Vehicle

OSC – On-Scene Coordinator

PRP – Potentially Responsible Parties

START – Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team

yd³ – cubic yard

For additional information, please refer to “Documents” on www.epaosc.org/CobbWellSite.

6.2 Reporting Schedule

For additional information, please refer to “Documents” on www.epaosc.org/CobbWellSite.