EPA v. CENTAUR PETROLEUM CORP. & DEVON ENERGY CORP.

Case summary

THE STATUTES AND REGULATIONS WHICH ARE THE BASIS FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION, INCLUDING STATE REGULATIONS SECTIONS 1422 AND 1423 OF THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT, 42 U.S.C. SECTION 300 H; EPA REGULATIONS AT 40 C.F.R. PARTS 144, 146, AND 147. THE NAME AND LOCATION OF THE DEFENDANTS (A) CENTAUR PETROLEUM CORPORATION, 2929 WEST FIFTH AVE, FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76101, P.O. BOX 270, DOING BUSI- NESS IN DAVIESS COUNTY, INDIANA. (B) DEVON ENERGY CORPORATION, 1500 MID-AMERICA TOWER, 20 NORTH BROADWAY, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73102, FORMER- LY DOING BUSINESS IN DAVIESS COUNTY, INDIANA. THE VIOLATIONS UPON WHICH THE ACTION IS BASED VIOLATIONS OF UIC REGULATIONS REQUIRING SUBMISSION OF INVENTORY INFORMATION, AN ANNUAL REPORT, PLUGGING AND ABANDONMENT PLANS AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY DEMONSTRA- TIONS BY NINE INJECTION WELLS AND INJECTION WITHOUT AUTHORI- ZATION; ALSO FAILURE TO NOTIFY EPA OF OWNERSHIP TRANSFER. THE PROPOSED RELIEF TO BE SOUGHT, INCLUDING INJUNCTION, AND PROPOSED AMOUNT OF PENALTY TO BE SOUGHT AT SETTLEMENT PERMANENT INJUNCTION REQUIRING COMPLIANCE WITH THE UIC REGULATIONS. BOTTOM LINE CIVIL PENALTY OF $250,000 FOR CENTAUR AND $50,000 FOR DEVON. THE RECENT CONTACTS WITH THE DEFENDANTS, INCLUDING ANY PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIVE ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS TAKEN, AND NEGOTIATIONS NOTICE OF NONCOMPLIANCE SENT TO DEVON NOVEMBER 8, AND TO CENTAUR NOVEMBER 27, 1985. NO ADMINISTRATIVE ENFORCEMENT ACTION TAKEN OR NEGOTIATIONS HELD. THE SIGNIFICANT NATIONAL OR PRECEDENTIAL LEGAL OR FACTUAL ISSUES THIS IS A CASE OF FIRST IMPRESSION IN THE NATION UNDER THE UIC PROGRAM OF THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT. DATE OF INSPECTION, INFORMATION RESPONSE OR RECEIPT OF EVIDENCE OF VIOLATION WHICH LED TO DECISION TO INITIATE ENFORCEMENT PROCEEDINGS INSPECTIONS OF THE OIL FIELD TOOK PLACE ON NOVEMBER 20, 1985, JANUARY 9 AND FEBRUARY 12, 1986. INVENTORY WAS NOT RECEIVED ON JUNE 25, 1985. PERMIT APPLICATION OF CENTAUR RECEIVED IN JANUARY 1986 CONTAINED STATE PERMIT RECORDS. DATE THAT TECHNICAL SUPPORT DOCUMENTS FROM THE PROGRAM OR SUPPORT DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR PREPARATION OF A REFERRAL REACHED THE REGIONAL COUNSEL'S OFFICE FEBRUARY 1986. DATE REFERRAL IS SIGNED BY REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR MARCH 31, 1986. ANY OTHER ASPECT OF THE CASE WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT OR SHOULD BE HIGHLIGHTED INCLUDING ANY EXTRAORDINARY RESOURCE DEMANDS WHICH THE CASE MAY REQUIRE BECAUSE THIS IS A CASE OF FIRST IMPRESSION, IT IS EXPECTED TO BE EXTREMELY RESOURCE INTENSIVE. THE ATTENTION OF ALL OIL FIELD OPERATORS IN INDIANA AND THROUGHOUT REGION V WILL BE FOCUSED ON THE OUTCOME OF THIS CASE AS THE NEW UIC PROGRAM STRIVES TO MAKE ITS PRESENCE FELT IN THIS HERETOFORE UNDER-REGULATED FIELD.

Defendants (3)

• CENTAUR PETROLEUM CORPORATIONNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• DEFENDANTS W/SETTLEMENT 1-SETTLEMENT 2Named in complaintNamed in settlement
• DEVON ENERGY CORPORATIONNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (9)

• MEURER LOCKIE JULIA & CLARA PR

  SE SE NE SEC2 R7W T4N, PLAINVILLE, IN, 47568

  Registry ID: 110010736640

• MCBRIDE BERTHA & DONALD FOUST

  SE SE NW SEC2 T4N R7W, PLAINVILLE, IN, 47568

  Registry ID: 110010736668

• KILLION RALPH & EOLA WELL #2

  SE SE SW SEC2 T4N R7W, PLAINVILLE, IN, 47568

  Registry ID: 110010736631

• NOWLING WILLIAM WELL 3

  302 E SR 358, PLAINVILLE, IN, 47568

  Registry ID: 110010736613

• MCBRIDE BERTHA & DONALD FOUST

  NW SE NW SEC2 T4N R7W, PLAINVILLE, IN, 47568

  Registry ID: 110010687890

• KILLION RALPH WELL #3

  NW SE SW SEC2 T4N R7W, PLAINVILLE, IN, 47568

  Registry ID: 110010736622

• MEURER RAY & JULIA PROCTOR WEL

  NE SE NE SEC2 T4N R7W, PLAINVILLE, IN, 47568

  Registry ID: 110010736659

• KILLION RALPH WELL #3

  NE SE SW SEC2 T4N R7W, PLAINVILLE, IN, 47568

  Registry ID: 110010687881

• NOWLING WILLIAM WELL 4

  302 E SR 358, PLAINVILLE, IN, 47568

  Registry ID: 110010687872

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1423 — Safe Drinking Water Act
• SDWA 1422 — Safe Drinking Water Act

Enforcement conclusions (2)

• DEVON ENERGY CORP.entered 1987-10-06

  Primary law: SDWA

  Federal penalty: $60,000

• CENTAUR PETROLEUM CORP. &entered 1989-04-04

  Primary law: SDWA

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 1986-03-31Referred To Headquarters
• 1986-05-16Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1986-11-14Complaint Filed With Court
• 1989-04-04Final Order Lodged
• 1989-04-04Final Order Entered
• 1989-04-04Concluded
• 1989-04-19Enforcement Action Closed