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Osage County Oil Production Facilities Fined for Violating the Clean Water Act

Release Date: 08/04/2009
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Anthony Suttice at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

(Dallas, Texas –August 4, 2009) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has fined two Osage County oil production facilities $1,900 for violating federal Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations outlined under the federal Clean Water Act.

A federal inspection of the Velma Chinn Lease Battery and Larry Chinn Tank Battery, both located at U.S. Highway 60 and County Road 3880, Bartlesville, Osage County, Oklahoma, on April 6, 2009, revealed neither facility had adequate procedures or information in their SPCC plans to report an oil spill or adequate discussion of spill prevention procedures. The inspection also found site personnel had no training on the operation and maintenance of equipment to prevent discharges, no training on discharge procedure protocols, and no training on pollution control laws, rules and regulations. Spill prevention briefings were not scheduled and conducted periodically, excessive vegetation which affects the integrity and/or walls of containment systems were slightly eroded or had low areas, and visual inspections of containers, foundations and supports were not conducted periodically for deterioration and maintenance needs. As part of an Expedited Settlement Agreement, the facilities have certified that all identified deficiencies have been corrected.

Additional information on SPCC regulations is available at https://www.epa.gov/oilspill

More about activities in EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/region6

EPA audio file is available at https://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/aug2009.html