EPA v. PRUET PRODUCTION CO.

Case summary

DECEMBER 10, 2025 - OIL SPILL EXPEDITED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT On December 20, 2022, Respondent's Cedar Creek LT 32-1 Well at Latitude 31.273758? N & Longitude 86.873797?W (the Facility), discharged approximately 5,250 gallons of crude oil/water mixture in violation of Section 311(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), 33 U.S.C. ? 1321(b)(3), as described in the attached Findings and Alleged Violations Form - Oil Spill Expedited Settlement Agreement (Oil Spill Violations Form), which is hereby incorporated by reference. EPA is authorized to enter into this Expedited Settlement Agreement (ESA) under the authority of Section 311(b)(6)(B)(i) of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. ? 1321(b)(6)(B)(i), as amended by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, and 40 C.F.R. ? 22.13(b). The parties enter into this ESA to settle the civil violations described in the Oil Spill Violations Form for a penalty of $15,000. This ESA is subject to the following terms and conditions: EPA finds Respondent's conduct is subject to the discharge prohibition of CWA ? 311(b)(3), 33 U.S.C. ?1321(b)(3), in conjunction with 40 C.F.R. ? 110.3, and has therefore violated the CWA as described in the Oil Spill Violations Form. The EPA also finds, and Respondent admits, that the EPA has jurisdiction over Respondent for the allegations contained in the Oil Spill Violations Form. Respondent does not contest the findings and neither admits nor denies the allegations in the Oil Spill Violations Form. Respondent also waives any objections it may have to EPA's jurisdiction, any rights to contest the allegations, and its right to appeal this ESA and Final Order. Respondent consents to the assessment of the penalty stated above. Respondent certifies, subject to civil and criminal penalties for making a false submission to the United States Government, that it has investigated the cause of the spill, it has cleaned up the spill pursuant to federal requirements, and it has taken corrective actions that will prevent future spills. Respondent agrees to pay the penalty assessed within thirty (30) calendar days of the effective date of this ESA. Instructions for making the penalty payment are enclosed with this ESA as Attachment A and incorporated herein by reference. Failure by Respondent to pay the penalty assessed by this ESA in full by its due date may subject Respondent to a civil action to collect the assessed penalty plus interest, attorney's fees, costs and an additional quarterly nonpayment penalty pursuant to CWA ? 311(b)(6)(H), 33 U.S.C. ? 1321(b)(6)(H). In any such collection action, the validity, amount, and appropriateness of the penalty shall not be subject to review.

Defendants (1)

• PRUET PRODUCTION CO.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• PRUET PRODUCTION COMPANY, CEDAR CREEK LT 32-1 WELL

  CO. HWY 6, EVERGREEN, AL, 36401

  Registry ID: 110072155167

Statutes cited

• CWA 311B — Oil & Hazardous Substances Discharge

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• PRUET PRODUCTION CO.entered 2025-12-10

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $15,000

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2025-12-10Final Order Issued
• 2025-12-10Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2026-03-12Enforcement Action Data Entered