EPA v. EQT CORP (MOBLEY/LAWFORD)

Case summary

EPA FINALIZED A SUPER-CONSENT AGREEMENT AND FINAL ORDER OT RESOLVE VIOLATIONS OF EQT CORPORATION OF SECTION 311(b)(3) OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT, AS AMENDED ( CWA ) BY ITS SUBSIDIARIES EQT GATHERING, LLC ( EQT GATHERING ) AND EQT PRODUCTION COMPANY ( EQT PRODUCTION ) FOR TWO SEPARATE OIL SPILLS INTO WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES. ON MAY 25, 2013, TWENTY (20) GALLONS OF GAS PIPELINE CONDENSATE WERE DISCHARGED FROM AN ABOVEGROUND STEEL CONDENSATE TANK AT EQT GATHERING'S MERCURY DEHYDRATION STATION, LOCATED IN MOBLEY, WETZEL COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. THE DISCHARGE ENTERED MOBLEY RUN, WHICH IS A NAVIGABLE WATER OF THE UNITED STATES PURSUANT TO SECTION 507(7) OF THE CWA, 33 U.S.C. SECTION 1362(7), AND 40 C.F.R. SECTION 110.1 (1974)(AMENDED 2003), AND CAUSED A VISIBLE SHEEN UPON THE SURFACE AND ADJOINING SHORLINE OF MOBLEY RUN. ON AUGUST 1, 2013, FIFTY (50) GALLONS OF DEGRADED CRUDE OIL WERE DISCHARGED FROM EQT WELL #655356, LOCATED AT LAWFORD, RITCHIE COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. THE DISCHARGE ENTERED SPRUCE CREEK, WHICH IS A NAVIGABLE WATER OF THE UNITED STATES PURSUANT TO SECTION 502(7) OF THE CWA, 33 U.S.C. SECTION 1362(7), AND 40 C.F.R. SECTION 110.1 (1974)(AMENDED 2003), AND CAUSED A VISIBLE SHEEN UPON THE SURFACE AND ADJOINING SHORELINE OF SPRUCE CREEK.

Defendants (1)

• EQT CORPORATIONNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• EQT COMPANY, LAWFORD FACILITY

  COUNTY ROAD 19, SMITHFIELD, WV, 26178

  Registry ID: 110059780125

• EQT GATHERING, LLC MOBLEY FACILITY

  COUNTY ROAD 15/17, MOBLEY, WV, 26437

  Registry ID: 110059780116

Statutes cited

• CWA 311B — Oil & Hazardous Substances Discharge

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• EQT CORP (MOBLEY/LAWFORD)entered 2014-06-13

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $2,068

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2014-06-13Final Order Issued
• 2014-06-13Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2014-06-26Enforcement Action Data Entered