EPA v. MOBIL EXPLORATION AND PRODUCING (ANETH)

Case summary

THE CASE INVOLVES DISCHARGES OF PRODUCED WATER AND OIL IN FIELDS LEASED BY MOBIL, AN INTERNATIONAL OIL COMPANY, ON NAVAJO LANDS IN UTAH. MOBIL DOES NOT HAVE A CWA PERMIT FOR THESE DISCHARGES AND IS THEREFORE IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 301(A) OF THE ACT. THE UNAUTHORIZED DISCHARGES ARE TO NUMEROUS DRY WASHES AND OTHER TRIBUTARIES OF THE SAN JUAN RIVER. THE DISCHARGES OF OIL MAY ALSO BE VIOLATIONS OF SECTION 311 OF THE CWA. IN ADDITION, MOBIL HAS FAILED TO FULLY IMPLEMENT AN ADEQUATE SPILL PREVENTION CONTROL AND COUNTER MEASURES ( SPCC ) PLAN AT THE OIL FIELDS. THIS ACTION SEEKS INJUCTIVE RELIEF TO INSURE MOBIL'S EFFORTS TO PROPERLY OPERATE AND MAINTAIN ITS PIPING SYSTEMS TO PREVENT DISCHARGES. IT ALSO SEEKS CIVIL PENALTIES FOR PAST VIOLATIONS. THIS CASE MAY RAISE ISSUES OF WHETHER DRY WASHES ARE WATERS OF THE U.S. UNDER THE CWA.

Defendants (1)

• MOBIL EXPLORATION AND PRODUCING U.S. INCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• MOBIL OIL COMPANY

  MCELMO CREEK, ANETH, UT, 84510

  Registry ID: 110007198353

Statutes cited

• CWA 311J — SPCC and/or Federal Response Plan Violations
• CWA 301 — NPDES Discharge without a Permit

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• MOBIL EXPLORATION AND PRODUCING (ANETH SITE) CONSENT DECREEentered 2004-09-29

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $515,000 · SEP: $327,000

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 1997-09-03Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1997-09-17Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1998-03-30Complaint Filed With Court
• 2004-08-03Final Order Lodged
• 2004-09-29Final Order Entered
• 2007-07-31Demand for Stipulated Penalties
• 2009-11-02Enforcement Action Closed