On Wednesday, March 18, 2008, OSC Matlock responded to the Equitable Resources Company oil spill into Laurel Creek, a tributary which runs into the Gauley River in Nicholas County, West Virginia. Access to the spill location was very difficult due to extremely muddy conditions and the numerous stream crossings on the road to the storage tank. It was estimated that approximately 150 barrels of light crude oil had leaked from a storage tank. Heavy rains and fast moving water in Laurel Creek moved the oil quickly down into the Gauley River the previous evening. With the in-stream mixing and fast currents, oil recovery was limited to areas along Laurel Creek where it pooled up, and to areas near the tank location where oil was still seeping out of the containment area.
