EPA v. EARTH OIL COMPANY, AN OKLAHOMA BUSINESS

Case summary

1. SECTION 1423(C) OF THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT ( SDWA ), 42 U.S.C. SECTION 300H-2(C). 2. EARTH OIL COMPANY P.O. BOX 578 SKIATOOK, OSAGE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA 74070 WELLS: OSAGE COUNTY WELL NO. 3 OS3453 NE/4, SEC. 8, T23 N, R11 E WELL NO. 6 OS3455 NE/4, SEC. 8, T23 N, R11 E WELL NO. 20 OS4595 SW/4, SEC. 8, T23 N, R11 E 3. RESPONDENT WAS IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 1421 OF THE SDWA BY 1) FAILURE TO SUBMIT REQUIRED ANNUAL OPERATION REPORTS AND 2) FAILURE TO PLUG AND ABANDON WELLS WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER CESSATION IF INJECTION OPERATIONS. 4. RELIEF SOUGHT PURSUANT TO SECTION 1423(C) OF THE SDWA, EPA ISSUED A PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER (AO) AND OP- PORTUNITY TO REQUEST A HEARING TO THE RESPONDENT. THE PROPOSED AO ORDERED THE RESPONDENT TO: A) WITHIN 15 DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AO, COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THE ANNUAL OPERATING REPORTS FOR THE MONITORING PERIOD OF JAN. 1996 THROUGH DEC. 1998 FOR WELL NO. OS3453, B) WITH- IN 15 DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AO, SUBMIT AN AP- PLICATION TO PLUG EACH OF THE INACTIVE WELLS, AND C) WITHIN 60 DAYS, PROPERLY PLUG AND ABANDON EACH OF THE IN- ACTIVE WELLS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPROVED PLUGGING PLAN.

Defendants (1)

• EARTH OIL COMPANYNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• EARTH OIL CO

  PO BOX 578, SKIATOOK, OK, 74070

  Registry ID: 110010746871

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1421 — UIC Regulations

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• EARTH OIL COMPANY

  Primary law: SDWA

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 1999-03-30Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 1999-03-31Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1999-05-28Enforcement Action Closed