| A threaded, stainless-steel valve on the pump discharge line failed at the tie-in point to a 10-inch poly, produced-water gathering line. An estimated 20 bbls of produced water was released onto the ground surface. The produced water flowed southwest a distance of approximately 40 feet where it collected in a shallow, marshy area located adjacent to the River Ranch A well pad. Immediately upon discovery, the source of the water was stopped by isolating the defective valve and plugging the poly-line riser. Spill absorbent booms and check dams were installed in efforts to channel the produced water away from the marsh. A vac-truck was immediately dispatched to the location to recover produced water and paraffin from the marsh. With concurrence of COGCC, TEP is using an extended-boom excavator to remove marsh grass / reeds and paraffin from the marsh. Contaminated vegetation and soils are immediately removed from location and hauled to an off-site commercial disposal facility. |