EPA v. AMERICAN MIDSTREAM (MISSISSIPPI), LLC - BAZOR RIDGE TREATING FACILITY

Case summary

5/11/2012 - ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLIANCE ORDER ISSUED. FINDINGS: ON DEC 14, 2011, EPA INSPECTORS CONDUCTED AN AIR COMPLIANCE EVALUATION OF THE BAZOR RIDGE TREATING FACILITY UTILIZING A FORWARD LOOKING INFRARED GAS FINDER CAMER (FLIR)(r). THE FLIR IS AN IMAGING TECHNOLOGY THAT USES INFRARED RADIATION TO DETECT VARIOUS GASES AND HYDROCARBON. DURING EPA'S EVALUATION, THE FLIR CAMERA IDENTIFIED RELEASES OF AIR POLLUTANTS. BASED ON RECORDS PROVIDED BY AMERICAN MIDSTREAM, THESE RELEASES INCLUDED SOME OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING: METHANE, HYDROGEN SULFIDE, ETHANE, PROPANE, BUTANE, AND PENTANE. - A RELEASE WAS DOCUMENTED AT THE ACCESS HATCH ON THE SLOP OIL TANK. - A RELEASE WAS DOCUMENTED AT THE ACCESS HATCH ON THE PRODUCED WATER TANK. - A RELEASE WAS DOCUMENTED AT THE CONNECTOR ON TOP OF THE TANK (ON A TRAILER) CATCHING THE BOTTOMS DRAINED OFF THE CONDENSATE TANKS. - A RELEASE WAS DOCUMENTED AT THE FUEL GAS MONITORING SYSTEM DRAIN. - A RELEASE WAS DOCUMENTED AT THE FUEL GAS DRAIN ON THE INLET COMPRESSOR 3516 - A RELEASE WAS DOCUMENTED AT THE NUMBER ONE INLET COMPRESSOR PRESSURE GAUGE. - A RELEASE WAS DOCUMENTED AT THE NUMBER TWO INLET COMPRESSOR PANEL SEAL. - A RELEASE WAS DOCUMENTED AT THE NUMBER THREE INLET COMPRESSOR ADJUSTMENT VALVE PACKING. A PHOTO IONIZATION DETECTOR (PID) WAS USED IN THIS AREA AND IT SHOWED A MAXIMUM READING OF 473 PPM. - A RELEASE WAS DOCUMENTED AT THE NUMBER THREE INLET COMPRESSOR TOP PACKING. THE RELEASES DEMONSTRATE, 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). ORDER REQUIRES: WITHIN 15 DAYS, RESPONDENT SHALL TAKE SUCH STEPS AS ARE NECESSARY TO PREVENT THE RELEASE OF A REGULATED OR OTHER EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, INCLUDING FIXING, REPAIRING, OR REPLACING THE COMPONENTS THAT LED TO THE RELEASE.

Defendants (1)

• AMERICAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LPNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• AMERICAN MIDSTREAM MISSISSIPPI LLC, BAZOR RIDGE TREATING FACILITY

  595 CEAMON PITTMAN ROAD, WAYNESBORO, MS, 39367

  Registry ID: 110002053474

• AMERICAN MIDSTREAM MISSISSIPPI LLC, BAZOR RIDGE TREATING FACILITY

  595 CEAMON PITTMAN ROAD, WAYNESBORO, MS, 39367

  Registry ID: 110002053474

Statutes cited

• CAA 112R — General Duty/Accidental Release

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• AMERICAN MIDSTREAM (MISSISSIPPI), LLC - BAZOR RIDGE TREATING FACILITYentered 2012-05-11

  Primary law: CAA

Timeline (2 milestones)

• 2012-05-11Final Order Issued
• 2012-06-27Enforcement Action Data Entered