EPA v. PRINGLE, RICHARD

Case summary

DATA SHEET: * VIOLATIONS: FAILURE TO PLUG FOUR CLASS II INJECTION WELLS AS REQUIRED BY 40 CFR 147.2905. * PROPOSED RELIEF: SETTLEMENT IN THE FORM OF A CONSENT DECREE REQUIRING COMPLI- ANCE WITH THE PLUGGING PROCEDURES SET OUT AT 40 CFR 147.2905 AND PAYMENT OF A CIVIL PENALTY OF AT LEAST $12,404. THE REGION REQUESTS AUTHORIZATION TO COMMENCE PRE-FILING SETTLE- MENT NEGOTIATIONS. * CASE SYNOPSIS: RICHARD B. PRINGLE AND R. PHILLIPS PRINGLE, THE PRIMARY RESPONDENTS IN THIS MATTER, ARE SMALL, INDEPENDENT OIL PRODUCERS DOING BUSINESS IN OSAGE COUNTY, OK. * OF RELEVANCE TO THIS LITIGATION REPORT ARE FOUR ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY INJECTON WELLS LOCATED ON FOUR SEPARATE QUARTER SECTIONS OF LAND IN OSAGE COUNTY, OK. THE OIL MINING LEASE COVERING, AMONG OTHER TRACTS, THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SEC- TION 29 (ON WHICH IS LOCATED WELL NUMBER 13), THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 31 ( ON WHICH IS LOCATED WELL NUMBER 12) AND THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 30 (WHICH IS LOCATED WELL NUMBER 10), TOWNSHIP 23 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST, OSAGE COUNTY, OK, IS OWNED AS FOLLOWS: * RICHARD B. PRINGLE 5/16 INTEREST R. PHILLIPS PRINGLE 5/16 INTEREST RICHARD B. PRINGLE CHILDREN'S TRUST (RICHARD B. PRINGLE, TRUSTEE) 3/16 INTEREST R. PHILLIPS PRINGLE CHILDREN'S TRUST (R. PHILLIPS PRINGLE, 3/16 INTEREST TRUSTEE) THE OIL AND GAS MINING LEASE COVERING, AMONG OTHER TRACTS, THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 32, TOWNSHIP 23 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST, OSAGE COUNTY, OK (ON WHICH IS LOCATED WELL NUMBER 58), IS OWNED AS FOLLOWS: * RICHARD B. PRINGLE 1/2 INTEREST R. PHILLIPS PRINGLE 1/2 INTEREST * THE USEPA REGION VI WILL ASSUME THAT EACH INJECTION WELL IS OWNED IN EQUAL PROPORTION TO THE OWNERSHIP OF THE LEASE UPON WHICH EACH WELL IS LOCATED. * AS THE OWNERS OF ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY INJECTION WELLS IN OSAGE COUNTY, OK, RICHARD B. RPINGLE, R. PHILLIPS PRINGLE, RICHARD B. PRINGLE CHILDREN'S TRUST AND R. PHILLIPS PRINGLE CHILDREN'S TRUST (RESPONDENTS) ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE VIOLATED THE SDWA, 42 USC 300F ET SEQ., AND THE UIC REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO CLASS II INJECTION WELLS LOCATED ON THE OSAGE MINERAL RESERVE, OSAGE COUNTY, OK, 40 CFR PART 147, SUBPART GGG, IN THAT RESPS FAILED TO PLUG ENHANCED RECOVERY INJEC- TION WELLS ACCORDING TO THE PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED AT 40 CFR 147.2905. * THE REGION RECOMMENDS NEGOTIATION OF A DECREE ADDRESSING RESPS' VIOLATIONS OF THE ACT AND THE REGULATIONS, AND PROVIDING FOR, AT THE MINIMUM, A CIVIL PENALTY IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,404. THE REGION REQUESTS AUTHORIZATION TO COMMENCE PRE-FILING SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS.

Defendants (4)

• R. PHILLIPS PRINGLENamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• R. PHILLIPS PRINGLE CHILDREN'S TRUSTNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• RICHARD B. PRINGLENamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• RICHARD B. PRINGLE CHILDREN'S TRUSTNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• PRINGLE

  1508 PHILTOWER BLDG, TULSA, OK, 74103

  Registry ID: 110010783321

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1422 — Safe Drinking Water Act
• SDWA 1421 — UIC Regulations

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• PRINGLE, RICHARD B.entered 1990-10-23

  Primary law: SDWA

  Federal penalty: $3,600

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 1988-05-05Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1988-09-30Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1990-10-23Final Order Lodged
• 1990-10-23Final Order Entered
• 1990-10-23Complaint Filed With Court
• 1990-10-23Concluded
• 1991-06-10Enforcement Action Closed