At around 11:00 am, an oil spill was reported on Hedgehog Lane.
Crews were called for a HAZMAT response to the area of 158 Hedgehog Lane to contain the spill. It was reported that a ditch along the road was filled with crude oil.
Upon arriving, the Bradford Township FD Chief, found the source of the spill, and shut off the valve.
The road was then completely shut down, from West Washington, to the top of the hill.
Approximately 1,500 gallons of crude oil was spilled. Police believe that the valve was opened purposely by an unknown actor, but are not sure yet.
The Red Cross, Mckean County Emergency Management, Bradford Township PD and FD, Corydon Township FD, and State Rep Marty Causer have all been on the scene.
Update
At 3:24 pm, tones were sounded for Bradford Township, Corydon Township, and Derrick City FD’s, to send all available manpower to the scene to assist in the cleanup.
2nd Update
The spill is now believed to be accidental.
The cause of the spill is believed to be a valve being left open.
Brine water is a byproduct of oil production. Brine water is pumped along with crude oil into “production tanks” where the oil is stored for trucks to pick it up and take it to a refinery. The brine water is heavier than oil, and rests at the bottom of the tank.
A valve is partially opened to allow the brine water to drain into a separate storage tank. The brine tank is usually buried, with just the top of the tank above ground. A truck later comes to pick the brine water up to be treated at a treatment plant.
It is believed that an employee forgot to close this valve, and after the brine water drained, the oil started to drain into the much smaller brine tank. After the brine tank filled, the oil began to overflow and ended as an oil spill.
Click play below to hear the initial dispatch.
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5 Comments
Just found video of the oil spill on Hedgehog Lane… http://www.youtube.com/user/CitizenHedgehog
Figured it out. Take 1500/42 (gallons per barrel) and you’ll get 35 barrells of oil. Roughly $2625 of revenue gone.
Not counting all of the fines!!! All because someone forgot to close the valve when the brine was done draining. Technically, your not even supposed to leave that valve while it’s draining. They build clear pieces of pipe right there, and you’re supposed to watch that for when the brine starts getting colored, then you close the valve so you don’t lose any of the crude oil. Someone’s in big trouble.
Actually in PA you’re supposed to transfer all brine water to a seperate tanker. This tanker is then supposed to be removed from the site and taken to a brine disposal site (closest one is in Franklin, PA) If they had a tank set up like they were supposed to have set up the spill wouldn’t have happened.
In NY they encourage you to dump brine water into the local rivers and streams.
That’s what I was trying to explain in the article, that the brine was transferred to a separate tank, then a water truck comes and picks the brine up, and takes it to a treatment center, and the valve was never shut off, causing crude oil to go into the brine tank, and overflowing.
Also, there is a brine water treatment plant in Warren, it’s on Harmar (sp) street (ave?). I used to drive a water truck for Northern Tier.