EPA v. WILLIAMS FIELD SERVICES, GULF COAST LP

Case summary

4/23/2012 - COMPLIANCE ORDER ISSUED. ON JAN 19, 2011, EPA INSPECTORS CONDUCTED AN AIR COMPLIANCE INSPECTION OF HTE WILLIAMS FACILITY UTILIZING A FORWARD LOOKING INFRARED GAS FINDER CAMERA (FLIR)(r). THE FLIR IS AN IMAGING TECHNOLOGY THAT USES INFRARED RADIATION TO DETECT VARIOUS GASES AND HYDROCARBONS. DURING EPA'S INSPECTION, THE FLIR CAMERA IDENTIFIED RELEASES OF AIR POLLUTANTS, INCLUDING SOME OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING: ETHANE, PROPANE, BUTANES, AND PENTANES, AT THE HATCH ON THE CONDENSATE STORAGE TANK (T-081). THIS RELEASE DEMONSTRATES, AT A MINIMUM, RESPONDENT HAS FAILED TO DESIGN AND MAINTAIN A SAFE FACILITY TAKING SUCH STEPS AS ARE NECESSARY TO PREVENT RELEASES, AND IS IN VIOLATION OF CAA 112(r)(1). AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION, THE FLIR CAMERA IDENTIFIED RELEASES OF AIR POLLUTNATS, INCLUDING METHANE, ETHANE, PROPANE, BUTANES, AND PENTANES, AT THE OUTLET DUCT AT THE TRAIN 2 EXPANDER. THE TOXIC VAPOR ANALYZER (TVA) WAS USED TO CONFIRM THE PRESENCE OF VOCs AND READ CONCENTRATIONS AS HIGH AS 20,000 ppm. THIS RELEASE DEMONSTRATES AT A MINIMUM THAT RESPONDENT HAS FAILED TO DESIGN AND MAINTAIN A SAFE FACILITY TAKING SUCH STEPS AS ARE NECESSARY TO PREVENT RELEASES, AND IS IN VIOLATION OF CAA 112(r)(1). AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION, THE FLIR CAMERA IDENTIFIED RELEASES OF AIR POLLUTANTS, INCLUDING METHANE, AT THE HEAT EXCHANGER FOR HEATING OIL. THE TVA WAS USED TO CONFIRM THE PRESENCE OF VOCs AND READ CONCENTRATIONS AS HIGH AS 150,000 ppm. THIS RELEASE DEMONSTRATES AT A MINIMUM THAT RESPONDENT HAS FAILED TO DESIGN AND MAINTAIN A SAFE FACILITY TAKING SUCH STEPS AS ARE NECESSARY TO PREVENT RELEASES, AND IS IN VIOLATION OF CAA 112(r)(1). WILLIAMS FACILITY PERSONNEL WERE PRESENT DURING THE INSPECTION AND WITNESSED THE OBSERVATIONS BY EPA PERSONNEL WITH BOTH THE FLIR CAMERA AND TVA. ORDER REQUIRES: RESPONDENT SHALL TAKE SUCH STEPS WIHTIN 15 DAYS AS ARE NECESSARY TO PREVENT THE RELEASE OF A REGULATE DOR OTHER EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, INCLUDING FIXING, REPAIRING, OR REPLACING THE COMPONENTS THAT LED OT THE RELEASES.

Defendants (1)

• WILLIAMS FIELDS SERVICES, GULF COAST, L.P.Named in settlement

Facilities (1)

• WILLIAMS MOBILE BAY PRODUCER SERVICES, LLC

  6000 ROCK ROAD, CODEN, AL, 36523

  Registry ID: 110043783625

Statutes cited

• CAA 112R — General Duty/Accidental Release

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• WILLIAMS FIELD SERVICES, GULF COAST LPentered 2012-04-23

  Primary law: CAA

Timeline (2 milestones)

• 2012-04-23Final Order Issued
• 2012-07-02Enforcement Action Data Entered