EPA v. ROSKEE CORP., REED WATERFLOOD UNIT

Case summary

NATURE OF THE CASE: ON NOVEMBER 6, 1973, SIDNEY A. KEEFOV- ER INCORPORATED THE ROSKEE CORPORATION WHICH OWNS & OPERATES APPROXIMATELY 33 OIL PRODUCTION WELLS & 4 ENHANCED RECOVERY UNDERGROUND INJECTION WELLS, IN AN AREA DESIGNATED AS THE REED WATERFLOOD UNIT LOCATED IN REED EAST OIL FIELD, HENDER- SON COUNTY, NEAR CARLINBURG, KY.. THIS IS A SERIOUS CASE OF ONGOING INJECTION W/OUT A UIC PER- MIT AFTER LOSS OF AUTHORIZATION BY RULE. THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ILLEGAL INJECTION ARE UNKNOWN. ADDITION- ALLY, THERE ARE VIOLATIONS OF UIC REGULATIONS REQUIRING SUB- MISSION OF INVENTORY INFORMATION; FAILURE TO TIMELY SUBMIT PLUGGING & ABANDONMENT PLANS FOR ACTIVE INJECTION WELLS; FAILURE TO SUBMIT ANNUAL REPORTS; & FAILURE TO SUBMIT EVI- DENCE OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, EACH REGARDING 4 ACTIVE ENHANCED RECOVERY INJECTION WELLS IN THE REED WATERFLOOD UNIT, IDENTIFIED AS BROOKS 4-W7, DUNN LEACH 2-W5, DUNN LEACH 2-W2, & CLARY-BIRK 3-W18. RELIEF SOUGHT: PRELIMINARY & PERMANENT INJUNCTION PROHIB- ITING DEFENDANT FROM INJECTING INTO ANY WELLS UNLESS & UNTIL DEFENDANT OBTAINS A PERMIT; ORDER DEFENDANT TO SUBMIT EVI- DENCE OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ON ALL ACTIVE WELLS; ORDER DEFENDANT TO PROPERLY PLUG & ABANDON EACH WELL WHICH DEFEN- DANT NO LONGER INTENDS TO USE; & PAY A CIVIL PENALTY OF NOT LESS THAN $250,000.00. NATIONAL OR PRECEDENTIAL ISSUES: ISSUES OF FIRST IMPRESS- ION IN THE NATION UNDER THE UIC PROGRAM OF THE SDWA. THE ATTENTION OF ALL OIL FIELD OPERATORS IN KY & REGION IV WILL BE DRAWN TO THIS CASE. THIS IS A NEW PROGRAM, TRYING TO MAKE AN EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE FELT IN THE REGULATED COM- MUNITY.

Defendants (1)

• ROSKEE CORPNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• REED WATER FLOOD UNIT

  REED EAST OIL FIELD, HENDERSON, KY, 42420

  Registry ID: 110010689246

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1423 — Safe Drinking Water Act
• SDWA 1421 — UIC Regulations

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• ROSKEE CORPORATIONentered 1988-05-05

  Primary law: SDWA

  Federal penalty: $25,000

Timeline (8 milestones)

• 1986-09-25Referred To Headquarters
• 1986-11-04Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1987-03-23Referred TO U.S. Attorney
• 1987-04-03Complaint Filed With Court
• 1988-05-05Final Order Entered
• 1988-05-05Final Order Lodged
• 1988-05-05Concluded
• 1989-05-11Enforcement Action Closed