EPA v. STERLING RESOURCES, INC.

Case summary

RESPONDENT FAILED TO: (1) PROVIDE ADEQUATE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND RESOURCES TO CLOSE, PLUG, AND ABANDON EACH OF THE INJECTION WELLS; (2) PREPARE, MAINTAIN, AND COMPLY WITH A PLAN FOR PLUGGING AND ABANDONING THE WELLS IN A MANNER ACCEPTABLE TO EPA; (3) PLUG ABANDONED INJECTION WELLS AFTER A CESSATION OF OPERATIONS OF TWO YEARS; (4)COMPLETE A MECHANICAL INTEGRITY TEST ON EACH OF THE WELLS; (5) COMPLY WITH CASING AND CEMENTING REQUIREMENTS. BIG SINKING FIELD (LEE COUNTY) - 469 WELLS. OIL SPRINGS FIELD (JOHNSON COUNTY) - 26 WELLS. ON 9/16/94, US DISTRICT COURT FOR EASTERN DISTRICT OF KY HELD CHARLES PERDUE AND PERDUE-DAVIDSON JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY LIABLE FOR $3,867,590 TOGETHER WITH INTEREST PLUS COSTS OF THE ACTION. TO DATE, JUDGMENT HAS NOT BEEN SATISFIED. IN ADDITION, ON 11/7/94, SAME COURT ORDERED CHARLES PERDUE AND PERDUE-DAVIDSON TO PERMANENTLY CEASE WELL INJECTION AND WELL PRODUCTION, AND TO DISCONNECT ALL PIPES, LINES, AND OTHER CONVEYANCES. ON 8/12/97, STERLING RESOURCES, INC., COMPLETED A STOCK PURCHASE OF ALL ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING STOCK OF PERDUE-DAVIDSON, EXPRESSLY ASSUMING ALL OF THE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF PERDUE-DAVIDSON IN CONNECTION WITH THE OPERATION OF THE INJECTION FACILITY.

Defendants (1)

• STERLING RESOURCES, INC.Named in complaint

Facilities (2)

• BIG SINKING OIL FIELD

  ASHLAND CAMP LOOP RD, ZOE, KY, 41397

  Registry ID: 110010582011

• OIL SPRINGS OIL FIELD

  ASHLAND CAMP LOOP RD, ZOE, KY, 41397

  Registry ID: 110010582020

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1423 — Safe Drinking Water Act

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• **PROPOSED SETTLEMENT**

  Primary law: SDWA

Timeline (2 milestones)

• 1999-01-28Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 1999-03-31Enforcement Action Data Entered