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Buford Curtis, Inc. Rafferty Fee #1 Wellsite - Plan of Operations for Reclamation
Big Thicket National Preserve » Buford Curtis, Inc. Rafferty Fee #1 Wellsite - Plan of Operations for Reclamation » Document List
Buford Curtis, Inc. (Curtis) submitted a plan of operations for the reclamation of the Rafferty Fee Well #1 site within the Neches Bottom and Jack Gore Baygall Unit of Big Thicket National Preserve (Preserve) in Hardin County, Texas on February 4, 2008. Curtis formerly operated the Rafferty Fee #1 oil well on this location. The Rafferty Fee #1 well was operated by Curtis and others from 1973 until December of 2002 when it was plugged by Curtis. During plugging and abandonment operations, all surface equipment was removed along with soils that were obviously contaminated with hydrocarbons, and fill material was brought in to restore the site to original grade after soil removal.
After two sampling efforts in 2005 and 2007, it was determined that soil contamination exists onsite that exceeds the Railroad Commission of Texas' (RRC) regulatory standard of 10,000 parts per million, or 1.0%, total petroleum hydrocarbons. The RRC is the state agency in Texas responsible for regulating oil and gas operations. The RRC has also notified Curtis that an approximately 20 foot diameter pit onsite should be closed to comply with statewide rules.
Curtis submitted its plan of operations in accordance with section 9.36 of the National Park Service's (NPS) nonfederal oil and gas rights regulations (9B regulations), found at 36 CFR 9B, to address both contaminant removal and pit closure. In accordance with section 9.52 of the 9B regulations, the NPS published a notice in the Federal Register of the plan's availability for public review and comment. The public comment period ended on July 11, 2008. The conditionally approved plan of operations is Curtis' permit to access the Preserve to perform the work described in the plan.
Biologist, Oil and Gas Program Manager
National Park Service
Big Thicket National Preserve
6044 FM 420
Kountze, TX 77625
409-951-6822
409-951-6868 fax
After two sampling efforts in 2005 and 2007, it was determined that soil contamination exists onsite that exceeds the Railroad Commission of Texas' (RRC) regulatory standard of 10,000 parts per million, or 1.0%, total petroleum hydrocarbons. The RRC is the state agency in Texas responsible for regulating oil and gas operations. The RRC has also notified Curtis that an approximately 20 foot diameter pit onsite should be closed to comply with statewide rules.
Curtis submitted its plan of operations in accordance with section 9.36 of the National Park Service's (NPS) nonfederal oil and gas rights regulations (9B regulations), found at 36 CFR 9B, to address both contaminant removal and pit closure. In accordance with section 9.52 of the 9B regulations, the NPS published a notice in the Federal Register of the plan's availability for public review and comment. The public comment period ended on July 11, 2008. The conditionally approved plan of operations is Curtis' permit to access the Preserve to perform the work described in the plan.
Contact Information
Haigler "Dusty" PateBiologist, Oil and Gas Program Manager
National Park Service
Big Thicket National Preserve
6044 FM 420
Kountze, TX 77625
409-951-6822
409-951-6868 fax