Post on 14-Apr-2017
Spills & Their Causes
STEPs of PA Meeting
March 27, 2013
Total Number of Confirmed Spills: 788
2011 – 345 2012 – 365 2013 – 78
NC – 228 NC – 292 NC – 64
NW – 69 NW – 63 NW – 11
SW – 48 SW – 10 SW – 3
Totals by Region
NC – 584 NW – 143 SW – 61
Spills: 2011 - 2012
Equipment Failure 35%
Human Error 26%
Inadvertent Return
17%
Lack of Maintenance
10%
Vehicle Accident 6%
Intentional Discharge
3%
Vandalism 2%
Other 1%
Explosion 0%
2011 - 2013 Data
Equipment Failure
44%
15%
10%
8%
6%
5%
3% 3% 2% 2%
1%
1%
0% 0%
0% Line Failure
Faulty Valve
Gasket/Seal Failure
Tank Leak or Failure
Failed Pressure Test
Secondary Containment Failure
Fluids Through Flare Stack
Pumpjack Failure
Pump Failure
Leaking Separator
Wash Out
Leaking Pit
Leaking Packer
Rig Fire
Storm Damage
Equipment Failure – 35%
Human Error
29%
22% 18%
11%
6%
4% 3% 1% 1%
1%
1%
1% 1%
1%
Tank Overflow
Valve Left Open or Closed
Unsecured Transfer Line
Connection Not Secured
Tank Hatch/Cap Unsecured
Well Unloaded
Container Knocked Over
Improper Discharge of Top-Hole
Melted Tank
Overspray
Pit Overflow
Inadequate SecondaryContainmentLine Over Pressurized
Liner Puncture
Human Error – 26%
Inadvertent Returns
HDD 98%
Well Drilling 2%
Inadvertent Returns – 17%
Lack of Maintenance
Line Leak, Failure or Corrosion
50% Abandoned Well
Discharge 27%
Tank Corrosion 23%
Lack of Maintenance – 10%
Vehicle Accident
Tanks/Pipelines Damaged
85%
Truck Rollover 15%
Vehicle Accident – 6%
Intentional Discharge
Tank drainage 28%
Equipment Washing
17% Line Blowdown
17%
Truck Dumping 17%
Separator to Ground
11%
Brine Injection 5%
Tank Overflow 5%
Intentional Discharge – 3%
Vandalism
Bullet Holes 30%
Theft 30%
Valve Opened 30%
Line Cut 10%
Vandalism – 2%
Other
Stray Gas 60%
Frac Communication
30%
Annular Discharge 10%
Other – 1%
Explosion
Unknown Ignition Source 100%
Explosion – 0.15%
Most common Spill Sub Categories:
1. HDD (inadvertent return) – 17%
2. Line Failure (equipment failure) – 16%
3. Tank Overflow (human error) – 8%
4. Valve left open or closed (human error) – 6%
5. Damaged Equipment (vehicle accident) – 5%
5. Faulty Valve (equipment failure) – 5%
What Can be Learned?
Most common Substances Spilled:
1. Brine – 14%
2. Bentonite – 12%
3. Drilling Mud – 11%
4. Crude – 9%
5. Frac Flowback – 8%
What Can be Learned?
What Can be Learned?
< 5gal – 17%
< 1bbl – 49%
≥ 5bbl – 28%
≥ 10bbl – 20%
≥ 25bbl – 12%
≥ 50bbl – 8%
≥ 100bbl – 5%
≥ 150bbl – 2%
≥ 500bbl – 1%
Quantity Spilled:
1. Drilling deeper on stream bores rather than the minimum depth.
2. Routine maintenance plans and inspections for all equipment.
3. Better training of field staff and oversight on location.
4. Slow down & take your time!
What can be done to reduce spills!
Is your spill a reportable spill?
17% of all spills that have been discussed today fall in the less than 5 gallon range.
25 PA Code §78.66(a) & 25 PA Code §91.33(a) – require immediate notification of all spills regardless of quantity that cause or threaten pollution to the waters of the Commonwealth.
25 PA Code §78.66(b) – requires a reportable release of brine to be reported within 2 hours.
What type of cleanup is required?
Small Spills: • Less than 42 gallons
• At the well site
• No threat of pollution to waters of Commonwealth
• Visual cleanup
As per the Draft Spill Policy: Act 2: • Any spill may be cleaned up
via the Act 2 process.
Alternative Process: • Where the Responsible Party
does not elect to utilize the Act 2 process.
Questions ?
Chad Meyer Water Quality Specialist Supervisor Office of Oil and Gas Management
814.797.1191 cmeyer@pa.gov