Abstract: Condensate Release, Denverton Creek Gas Field, Sacramento Basin, California

KITTREDGE, OWEN M. R. G., Consulting Geologist, Sacramento CA

Over the past decade the California oil industry has found itself responding to regulator requests of hydrocarbon releases. Unfortunately, due to regulator and industry personnel misunderstandings, the working relationship often deteriorated so that time and energy was spent disagreeing. The time would have been better spent working towards a solution that satisfied all parties involved. Fortunately, industry personnel have become aware of environmental concerns and now are working closer with the regulators. This paper describes one such situation where industry and regulatory personnel working closely resulted in rapid cleanup and minimized expense.

In March 1995, during heavy rain fall, the Montezuma Hills Fire Department responded to reports of a hydrocarbon odor in the vicinity of Creed Road which is located at the northern end of the Denverton Creek Gas Field. The source of the odor was traced to condensate leaking from an open tank valve at the Barnes 133X location. The condensate was observed floating on a vernal pool adjacent to the location and draining from the pond via a creek on the northern pond edge. The Fire Department stopped the leak and begin clean-up procedures. The operator continued clean-up that utilized adsorbent booms, pads and vacuum trucks in the removal of free product. They additionally collected and analyzed soil samples and conducted a biologic survey of the flora and fauna which surrounded the pool. The cleanup operation was considered a great success.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90935©1998 AAPG Pacific Section Meeting, Ventura, California