--> Abstract: Assessment and Restoration of a Condensate Spill in a Bottomland Hardwood Forest in the Atchafalaya Basin, by S. Penland, S. Thompson, A. Milanes, and S. Tischer; #90924 (1999).

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PENLAND, SHEA, Dept. of Geology, Univ. of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA; SHAW THOMPSON and ANDREW MILANES, Environmental Science Services, Baton Rouge, LA; and STEVE TISCHER, ARCADIS Geography and Miller, Midland, TX

Abstract: Assessment and Restoration of a Condensate Spill in a Bottomland Hardwood Forest in the Atchafalaya Basin

Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc. (PNR) experienced a gas well blowout on December 1, 1996 at Myette Point within a lacustrine delta in Louisiana's Atchafalaya basin. For a period of 5 days, gas condensate erupted from the well-head covering the. surrounding bottomland hardwood forest. Over the next six weeks oil spill response contractors recovered gas condensate from access canals, distributary channels, and small ponds. The total volume spilled was estimated at 4700 barrels. The State of Louisiana issued a letter of intent to conduct a Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) to determine a plan of restoration to the impacted bottomland hardwood forest. A Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Team (SCAT) survey was conducted to map the surface oiling cover. A classification was developed by the NRDA team defining heavy (>50% cover), moderate (<50% cover), and light (only film) oiling classes. Using GPS technology, the NRDA team surveyed the spill area and mapped 164 acres of oiled forest broken into 3 classes: 106 acres of light, 29 acres of moderate, and 29 acres of heavy. The natural resource trustees determined the degree of injury based upon plant mortality of 10% for light, 50% for moderate, and 90% for heavy oiling classes during the winter survey (1997) for a total spill mortality of 51.2 acres. Based upon the early summer oiling classes during the winter survey (1977) for a total spill mortality of 51.2 acres. Based upon the early summer (1997) NRDA team survey, the mortality of the oiling classes were revised. PNR negotiated with the NRDA team and developed a plan to clear 30 acres of injured forest and plant a new forest of superior quality trees which was completed during the winter 1998. 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90924©1999 GCAGS Annual Meeting Lafayette, Louisiana