EPA v. GKM - 1

Case summary

VIOLATIONS: EPA REGULATIONS REQUIRE THE OPERATOR OF INJECTION WELLS TO MONITOR INJECTION PRESSURE AND RATE MONTHLY AND TO REPORT MONITORING RESULTS TO THE EPA ANNUALLY. RESPONDENT FAILED TO SUBMIT REQUIRED REPORTS FOR EIGHT INJECTION WELLS FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY THROUGH DECEMBER 2005. EPA REGULATIONS REQUIRE THE OPERATOR OF INJECTION WELLS TO PLUG AND ABANDON ANY WELL AFTER CESSATION OF INJECTION OPERATIONS FOR ONE YEAR. RESPONDENT FAILED TO COMPLETE REQUIRED PLUGGING ON THREE INJECTION WELLS. EPA REGULATIONS PROHIBIT FLUID MOVEMENT THROUGH AN INJECTION WELL INTO UNDERGROUND SOURCES OF DRINKING WATER (USDWS). RESPONDENT IS MAINTAINING ONE INJECTION WELL WITH A STATIC FLUID LEVEL ABOVE THE BASE OF USDWS. A STATIC FLUID LEVEL ABOVE THE BASE OF USDWS INDICATES THAT FLUIDS COULD BE MOVING THROUGH THE WELL BORE INTO USDWS. REMEDY: SUBMIT OVERDUE ANNUAL OPERATION REPORTS FOR THE EIGHT WELLS WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE ORDER. PLUG THREE WELLS BY JANUARY 2007. ALTERNATIVELY, RESPONDENT COULD SUBMIT A PLAN FOR FUTURE USE, OR CONVERT THE WELLS TO PRODUCTION WITHIN THAT TIME. PENALTY: NONE

Defendants (1)

• GKM OIL AND GAS, INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (9)

• OS5384 - WELL NO. 1 (E)

  NW/4, SEC. 03, T21N, R07E, OSAGE, OK, 74054

  Registry ID: 110013705767

• OS1306 - WELL NO. 4 (S)

  SW/4, SEC. 33, T20N, R10E, OSAGE, OK, 74054

  Registry ID: 110013691861

• OS0820 - WELL NO. 2SWD (S)

  SW/4, SEC. 25, T22N, R07E, OSAGE, OK, 74054

  Registry ID: 110013705696

• OS5538 - WELL NO. 1 (S)

  NW/4, SEC. 13, T 22N, R 07E, CLEVELAND, OK, 74020

  Registry ID: 110015774660

• OS5229 - WELL NO. 13-1 (S)

  NE/4, SEC. 13, T22N, R07E, OSAGE, OK, 74054

  Registry ID: 110013705696

• OS4623 - WELL NO. 1 (S)

  SE/4, SEC. 19, T21N, R12E, SKIATOOOK, OK, 75070

  Registry ID: 110028179085

• OS3963 - WELL NO. 3 (S)

  SW/4, SEC. 30, T 21N, R 11E, SAND SPRINGS, OK, 74063

  Registry ID: 110015749207

• OS0819 - WELL NO. 4SWD (S)

  SW/4, SEC. 12, T22N, R07E, OSAGE, OK, 74054

  Registry ID: 110013705696

• OS5922 - WELL NO. 13 (S)

  NE/4, SEC. 13, T22N, R07E, OSAGE, OK, 74054

  Registry ID: 110013705696

Statutes cited

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

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• GKM - 1entered 2006-09-13

  Primary law: SDWA

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2006-07-26Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2006-09-13Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2006-09-13Final Order Issued
• 2006-11-08Enforcement Action Closed