EPA v. EAST POPLAR OIL FIELD

Case summary

THIS EMERGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER IS ISSUED TO THE RESPONDENTS PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED BECAUSE EPA HAS IDENTIFIED THE PRESENCE OF BENZENE AND A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS LEVELS IN THE QUATERNARY DEPOSITS, AN UNDERGROUND SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER. EPA HAS ALSO DETERMINED THAT THE RESPONDENTS, THROUGH THE OPERATIONS OF THEIR OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION FACILITIES IN THE EAST POPLAR OIL FIELD, HAVE CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED AND/OR ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE ENDANGERMENT OF THE UDWS.

Defendants (8)

• W.R. GRACE & COMPANYNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• AMARCO RESOURCES CORPORATIONNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• EPEC-ALTAMOUNT CORPORATIONNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• MARATHON OIL COMPANYNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• MURPHY EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION CO.Named in complaintNamed in settlement
• MURPHY OIL CORPORATIONNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• MURPHY OIL USANamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANYNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• EAST POPLAR OIL FIELD

  TOWNSHIP 28 NORTH, RANGE 51 EAST, POPLAR, MT, 59255

  Registry ID: 110010674323

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1431 — Emergency Powers

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• EAST POPLAR OIL FIELDentered 1999-09-30

  Primary law: SDWA

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 1999-09-30Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 1999-09-30Final Order Issued
• 1999-10-20Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2003-02-25Enforcement Action Closed