EPA v. EXXON COMPANY/BELLE CREEK OIL FIELD

Case summary

RESPONDENT OWNS AND OPERATES A SECONDARY OIL RECOVERY FIELD IN POWDER RIVER COUNTY, MONTANA, WHICH IS AND WAS AT RELEVANT TIMES A POINT SOURCE WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 502 (14) OF THE ACT, 33 USC 1362 (14). ON 03/21/91, THE GILLETTE, WYOMING OFFICE REPORTED A 4 STEEL INJECTION LINE LOCATED IN THE SE QUARTER OF THE NW QUARTER OF SECTION 27, RANGE 8S, TOWNSHIP 54E IN THE BELLE CREEK OIL FIELD, HAD RUPTURED AND THAT APPROXIMATELY 800 BARRELS OF PRODUCED WATER HAD ENTERED BELLE CREEK, WHICH IS NAVIGABLE WATER WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE SECTION. PRODUCED WATER IS A POLLUTANT WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 502 (6). THE PROPOSED CIVIL PENALTY IS $17,001.

Defendants (2)

• BELLE CREEK OIL FIELDNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• EXXON COMPANY, U.S.A.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• BELLE CREEK OIL FIELD EXXON

  SE 1/4 NW /14 SEC 27 T54E R8S, BROADUS, MT, 59317

  Registry ID: 110010670693

Statutes cited

• CWA 309 — Violation of Existing AO

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• EXXON COMPANY/BELLE CREEK OIL FIELDentered 1993-09-01

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $17,001

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 1992-06-22Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1992-06-22Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 1993-09-01Final Order Issued
• 1994-10-23Enforcement Action Closed