Why did the customer contact us?
Ensolum personnel investigated the source, magnitude and extent of petroleum hydrocarbons in on-site soil and groundwater. Ensolum also conducted response actions to mitigate on-site contamination and its off-site migration. Based on Site conditions, a Remedy Standard B closure has been selected utilizing a Plume Management Zone for the affected area. Ensolum selected the excavation and bioremediation of source area soils, installation of a permeable barrier wall, and recovery of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPL), soil vapor, and impacted groundwater utilizing dual-phase extraction (DPE) as the appropriate response actions. Thus, Ensolum implemented Crude Transmission Pipeline Corrective Action.
Solutions provided:
Ensolum personnel provided environmental consulting services in association with a release of crude oil from a pipeline pump station. Therefore, our team completed Crude Transmission Corrective Action. The scope included subsurface investigation, risk-based assessment, and remediation. This utilized the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) Field Guide for the Assessment and Cleanup of Soil and Groundwater Contaminated with Crude Oil/Condensate From a Spill Incident and Texas Risk Reduction Program (TRRP) regulatory guidance. During initial spill response activities, Ensolum excavated soil at the release source and placed into treatment cells constructed on-site.
Additionally, the affected soil was treated using a balanced fertilizer to enhance biodegradation of the crude oil. Ensolum tilled treated soil for a period of three (3) weeks. This increased oxygen availability and stimulated naturally occurring bacteria in the soil which metabolize organics including petroleum hydrocarbons. Additionally, Ensolum installed an interceptor trench between the source area and a nearby tributary. Ensolum installed two (2) underflow dams and absorbent booms within the tributary to restrict the flow of crude oil in the creek. Ensolum also installed a permeable reactive barrier wall to reduce the mass. This restricted the downgradient migration of petroleum hydrocarbon compounds detected in on-site groundwater.
Furthermore, Ensolum injected activated carbon into the subsurface and amended with a sulfate-reduction mechanism (BOS-200®) to take advantage of both aerobic and anaerobic environments. BOS-200® consists of a blend of select nutrients. A cultured mix of bacteria (symbiotic facultative microbes), they are petroleum hydrocarbon degraders, gypsum, activated carbon, and iron.
Ensolum recovered approximately 193,241 gallons (4,601 barrels) of crude oil to date utilizing vacuum trucks and mobile dual-phase extraction units. DPE, also known as multi-phase extraction, vacuum-enhanced extraction, or sometimes bio-slurping, is an in-situ technology. This draws a vacuum on the formation and removes contaminated groundwater. It also phases separated hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon vapor from subsurface soil. Extracted NAPL and impacted groundwater are collected for recycling or disposal and extracted vapor is consumed by the normal combustion process of the engine. Ensolum currently conducts groundwater monitoring to ensure plume stability and the effectiveness of the soil and groundwater response actions. Ensolum will conduct additional DPE events at the Site prior to filing a restrictive covenant. Concluding the Crude Transmission Pipeline Corrective Action, this limits the future use of the initial groundwater bearing-unit and requesting regulatory closure from the RRC.
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Crude Transmission Pipeline Corrective Action
