The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ordered Texaco Inc. to close all of its unlined pits that may endanger surface or ground water quality on Navajo Indian acreage in three western states.
The Texaco order is the first action in a joint EPA and Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Administration (Navajo EPA) campaign to close all unlined pits that may harm ground and surface waters on Navajo land in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.
Estimated at 200 in number, Texaco's pits have been used to discharge oil and gas waste products, EPA said. An EPA sampling of fluid discharged to Texaco's pits showed high levels of benzene, ethylbenzene, and toluene.
The order requires Texaco to develop a plan to remove and dispose of pit fluids, take soil samples from under the pits, describe how contaminated soil will be removed or remediated, and describe how the pits will be filled or permanently sealed.
Texaco also is required to develop a plan to test water supply wells for pollutants within a 1/2 mile radius of the pits.
EPA said if the company fails to comply with the order, it could face penalties of as much as $5,000/day for each violation.
BROAD ORDER DUE
In addition to their action against Texaco, EPA and the Navajo nation will order all producers to cease discharges and close unlined pits in areas where ground or surface waters are threatened by contamination.
Producers operating unlined pits in those areas will be required to collect specific types of samples to see if remediation is needed. Any attempt to close an unlined pit without taking required samples could lead to an "enforcement action," EPA said.
Each operator must submit closure plans for approval. Before doing so, however, the operator will be required to develop an alternative system for handling waste fluids. The closure plans are to describe sampling to be carried out at the site, installation of holding tanks or appropriately lined pits, and site restoration.
Similar policies for closing unlined pits are being implemented in Texas and New Mexico.
The U.S. and Navajo EPAs plan by mid-October to send to producers information regarding closure schedules, pit sampling requirements, and liner standards for new pits.
TWO COMPANIES FINED
Separately, the U.S. EPA fined two companies $3,500 for alleged violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act on Navajo acreage.
It levied fines of $2,000 on Mountain States Petroleum, Roswell N.M., and $1,500 on Grand Resources Inc., Tulsa.
EPA said the companies failed to submit annual monitoring well reports.
It said the companies inject saltwater from oil and gas operations into underground wells.
Monitoring reports show the integrity of the injection process and reveal the potential for leakage of wastewater into groundwater supplies.
Copyright 1992 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
