Produced water release at Oliktok Point

Eni US Operating Co. had a produced water release at the Oliktok production pad on May 21.

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Spill Prevention and Response, said in a May 22 situation report that the incident started at 6 p.m. May 21, when produced water began escaping from the flare candle connected to Eni’s Oliktok production pad production facility.

DEC said that Eni estimates that 915 gallons of produced water, containing less than 100 gallons of crude oil, was released.

“An unplanned excess water event caused the oil and water mix to be released from the flair candle,” DEC said, adding that the cause of the event will be investigated.

ENI and Alaska Clean Seas responders worked beginning the evening of May 21 to secure the source, conduct a preliminary delineation of the spill area, place absorbent boom on the low-lying beach area and begin removal of impacted snow using hand tools and a skid steer. An excavator and semi side dumps were requested.

The gravel pad surrounding the production facility and an off-pad pile of snow were believed to be the main affected areas.

- Petroleum News