EPA v. ONYX INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION, LLC

Case summary

5/2/13 - CONSENT AGMT AND FINAL ORDER ISSUED, ASSESSING A PENALTY OF $10,000, DUE WIHTIN 60 DAYS. ALLEGATIONS: IN JANUARY 2013, RESPONDENT DISCOVERED THAT THE GAUGE USED TO MEASURE THE INJECTION PRESSURES AT THE WELLHEAD WAS AULTY AND THAT THE RECORDED INJECTIN PRESSURES WERE THEREFORE NOT REPRESENTATIVE. WHEN THE INJECTION WAS STOPPED, THE NEEDLE ON THE GAUGE WSA FOUND TO BE STUCK AT 990 PSIG. RESPONDENT STATED THE INSTRUMENT HAD NEVER BEEN PROPERLY CALIBRATED AND IMMEDIATELY TOOK STEPS TO REPLACE THE FAULTY GAUGE. BASED ON EPA'S RECORDS, RESPONDENT IS IN VIOLATION OF 40 CFR 144.51(e), THE UIC PERMIT AND THE SDWA FOR SUBSTANTIAL FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE OPERATING REQUIREMENT TO MONITOR THE INJECTION PRESSURES AT THE WELLHEAD USING A PROPERLY OPERATING AND CALIBRATED GAUGE. BASED ON EPA'S RECORDS, INJECTION FLUID ANALYSIS RESULTS FOR THE JEFF & JOHNNY JANES #1 UIC WELL ARE OVERDUE. THEREFORE, RESPONDENT IS IN VIOLATION OF 40 CFR 144.51(a), THE UIC PERMIT AND THE SDWA FOR FAILURE TO SUBMIT RESULTS OF INJECTION FLUID ANALYSIS IN 2010 AND 2011 FOR THE ACTIVE PERMITTED SUBJECT WELL.

Defendants (1)

• ONYX INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION, LLCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• JEFF AND JOHNNY JANES #1 UIC WELL

  LAT/LONG: 37.06952 / -85.43107, COLUMBIA, KY, 42728

  Registry ID: 110055360960

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1422/1423 — UIC Regulations Classes I - V

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• ONYX INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION, LLCentered 2013-05-02

  Primary law: SDWA

  Federal penalty: $10,000

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2013-05-02Final Order Issued
• 2013-05-02Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2013-05-21Enforcement Action Closed
• 2013-06-10Enforcement Action Data Entered