EPA v. TALLGRASS PETROLEUM, INC.

Case summary

VIOLATIONS : UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL REGULATIONS REQUIRE THAT THE OWNER OR OPERATOR OF AN INJECTION WELL PLUG THE WELL WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER TERMINATION OF INJECTION OPERATIONS. RESPONDENT HAS FAILED TO PLUG TWO INJECTION WELLS AFTER TERMINATION OF INJECTION OPERATIONS FOR MORE THAN ONE YEAR. UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL REGULATIONS REQUIRE THAT THE OWNER OR OPERATOR OF AN INJECTION WELL DEMONSTRATE MECHANICAL INTEGRITY OF ITS INJECTION WELLS AT LEAST EVERY FIVE YEARS. RESPONDENT FAILED TO DEMONSTRATE MECHANICAL INTEGRITY OF ONE INJECTION WELL WITHIN THE FIVE-YEAR DEADLINE. UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT THE OWNER OR OPERATOR OF AN INJECTION WELL TO MAINTAIN THE WELL IN A MANNER THAT COULD ALLOW CONTAMINANTS TO MIGRATE THROUGH THE WELL BORE INTO UNDERGROUND SOURCES OF DRINKING WATER. RESPONDENT IS MAINTAINING ONE WELL WITH A STATIC FLUID LEVEL ABOVE THE BASE OF UNDERGROUND SOURCES OF DRINKING WATER IN THE AREA OF THE WELL. THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT REQUIRES INJECTION WELL OPERATORS TO COMPLY WITH ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS ISSUED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY. RESPONDENT HAS FAILED TO COMPLY WITH AN ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER. RELIEF : PLUG TWO INJECTION WELLS ACCORDING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGULATIONS AND DEMONSTRATE MECHANICAL INTEGRITY OF ONE INJECTION WELL WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE ORDER. PENALTY : $75,000

Defendants (1)

• TALLGRASS PETROLEUM, INC.Named in complaint

Facilities (3)

• OS1373 - WELL NO. W-24 (E)

  SE/4, SEC. 32, T22N, R10E, HOMINY, OK, 74035

  Registry ID: 110013691754

• OS1381 - WELL NO. W-13 (E)

  NE/4, SEC. 33, T 22N, R 10E, HOMINY, OK, 74035

  Registry ID: 110013705473

• OS4851 - WELL NO. 1-W (E)

  SW/4, SEC. 33, T 22N, R 10E, HOMINY, OK, 74035

  Registry ID: 110013705473

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1423C — UIC - Violation of 1423(c) AO
• SDWA 1422/1423 — UIC Regulations Classes I - V
• SDWA 1421 — UIC Regulations

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2006-02-21Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2006-07-11Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2007-04-25Enforcement Action Closed