On August 16, 2024, DEP notified EPA of oil discharging from an unknown source along the shore line of the Allegheny River.
A rainbow sheen was visible for approximately half a mile and was reported as far down as the Fisherman’s Cove Boat Launch.
The discharge is located near the Sandy Creek Trail.
Initial responders, including Venango County Emergencies Services, installed sorbent boom in the river, along the approximate 200 foot by 10 foot oil stained area of the shoreline.
The responders also dug 3 to 4 small test pits approximately 1 to 1.5 feet deep within the stained area which filled with an oil/water mix. The mix appeared to be a weathered, dark oil, potentially crude oil, according to EPA.
According to inspection reports posted by DEP, the agency also inspected known oil wells near the site of the spill. Metal detectors were used to survey for any buried well casings.
EPA said while the source of the discharge has not yet been located, the steps taken to contain the discharge have been successful in recovering approximately 1,000 gallons of the oil/water which is being sent off-site for recycling.
EPA, its contractors, and DEP are continuing source investigation activities.
A geophysical survey of the area will be performed to help locate potential oil wells, and the pathway of the oil to the Allegheny River.
EPA will continue to maintain its containment measures and collect oil for off-site disposal.
Avoid The Area
EPA asks recreators using the bike trail to please be mindful of the active work area. EPA also asks boaters in the vicinity of the discharge to please minimize wake and maintain a safe distance from the booming location.
Click Here for an EPA fact sheet on the spill.
Visit EPA's Franklin PA Mystery Oil Discharge webpage for more information and updates.
(Photos: From EPA fact sheet.)
NewsClips:
-- The Derrick: Work Continues To Resolve Oil Seepage Into River In Sandycreek Township [8.21.24]
-- The Derrick: Unknown Amount Of Oil Spilled In Allegheny River [8.20.24]
PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:
-- Range Resources Shale Gas Water Pipeline Suffers Blowout In Washington County [PaEN]
-- 9-Year-Old Drives Tractor Into Conventional Well Causing Gas Leak [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - August 31 [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 66 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In August 31 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- Cecil Township Proposes 2,500 Foot Setback Ordinance From Oil & Gas Infrastructure For Sept. 4 Hearing In Washington County [PaEN]
-- Environmental Health Project: CNX Resources Claims Shale Gas Drilling Poses No Public Health Risks Are ‘Misleading, Irresponsible, Dangerous’ [PaEN]
-- US Dept. Of Interior Approves $76.4 Million To Plug Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells In Pennsylvania; 1,234 Violations For Abandoning Conventional Wells In Last 20 Months [PaEN]
NewsClips This Week:
-- Earthworks: Radically Misleading - Gov. Shapiro’s Dangerous Partnership With CNX Resources Nurts Communities, Ignores The Facts
-- Reuters: Anadarko, Other Natural Gas Companies Defeat Federal Lawsuit In PA Over Royalty Payments
-- Marcellus Drilling News: PA Dropped 3 Natural Gas Drilling Rigs Last Week, Lowest Count In 2.5 Years [PDF of Article]
-- Marcellus Drilling News: UGI Seeks To Temporarily Store LNG Gas In Trailers In Scranton Suburb During Winter [PDF of Article]
-- US EIA: North America’s LNG Gas Export Capacity On Track To More Than Double By 2028
-- Utility Dive: Reregulation? How Utilities And States Are Responding To PJM’s Record Electricity Capacity Prices [Part 1 of 3]
[Posted: September 4, 2024] PA Environment Digest
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