A second crack has been discovered on the South Berm toward the western corner. Although this crack doesn’t go all the way across the berm, we will continue to monitor all these areas for continued changes.
Monthly Archives: October 2013
3:45 p.m. Update
Statement from Texas Brine:
RECENT SEISMIC ACTIVITY
There has been a recent increase in seismic activity detected on the Texas Brine seismic instrumentation over the last ten days. These occurrences consist primarily of minor tremors or “micro-earthquakes” (MEQ’s) and not extended events or very long period (VLP) tremors. Additional monitoring and interpretation of the data from the newly installed borehole seismic array is being performed in order to better understand the location and magnitude of the seismic activity. This monitoring and analyses is performed by industry specialists, along with government and university experts, which has been the case from the very beginning of the response.
Texas Brine, in coordination with DNR and APOEP, recently relocated sensors and added additional resources to the passive seismic monitoring system already in place. This is all part of a coordinated effort to better monitor for tremors and pinpoint tremor locations with greater accuracy. Response personnel are closely watching this situation and if additional information becomes available about the source and location of the activity, the community will be updated.
3:10 p.m. Update from the Office of Conservation
Bayou Corne/Grand Bayou Response Activity
Wednesday, Oct. 30 work-
Sinkhole Activity Code 3 – indicating no work is allowed directly on sinkhole or on containment berms, due to seismic monitoring indicating ongoing elevated MEQ (micro-earthquake) activity near sinkhole/Oxy 3
Sub-slab Sampling and Ventilation
– Conducting ventilation system inspections
ORW/CPT Wells
– Monitoring pump drawdown tests of OGRW 1 (Oxy 2 well pad)
– Continuing pump test on ORWs 39 and 40 (north of containment berm)
– Preparing to flare ORW 10 (west of containment berm)
– Installing concrete pads around ORWs, flares and pressure monitoring wells
– Re-installing pressure transducers in ORW 17 and ORW 19 (west of containment berm)
Containment Berm/Roads/Sinkhole
– Surveying DPVE 47 settlement plates
– Sampling bubble sites
– Reducing pressure in Oxy 3A (working from Oxy 9 pad)
– Performing weekly subsidence survey
– Surveying settlement plates on south containment berm
Community
– Continuing debris removal at TBC-acquired properties
9:05 a.m. Update
Statement from Texas Brine:
As reported on the Parish Blog, some cracking was observed over the weekend on portions of the South Berm. Currently there is one main crack that is approximately 3.5″ wide that crosses the South Berm with some additional smaller cracks also appearing in proximity to this location. The Geotextile liner and clay cap remain unbroken ensuring the barrier between the sinkhole and outside environment remains intact.
It’s unclear at this time if the increased seismic activity detected over the past week is related to this cracking. Additional interpretation of the data from the newly installed seismic arrays is being performed in order to better understand the location and magnitude of this seismic activity along with any connection it may have to the cracking.
Response personnel will continue to monitor for any further expansion or movement of the soil and southern berm and plans are already in place to repair the berm once the seismic activity level around the sinkhole subsides and it is deemed safe to work. Additional updates and information will be provided as necessary.
8:25 a.m. Pipeline Maintenance
Southern Natural gas has reported to us that they are performing pipeline maintenance this morning to their pipeline north of Derrick Street. They will be blowing down the line starting shortly. Natural gas will be discharged and noise may be heard in the immediate area. No threat has been identified in the area.
11:05 a.m. Maps Presented at Texas Brine Meeting
The links below access the maps that were presented at a meeting held by Texas Brine last week (10/24).
Cone Pentrometer Test (CPT) Boring Locations
Proposed Observation Relief Wells & Mississippi River Aluvial Aquifer (MRAA) Contours
10:40 a.m. Update from the Office of Conservation
Bayou Corne/Grand Bayou Response Activity
Tuesday, Oct. 29 work-
Sinkhole Activity Code 3 – indicating no work is allowed directly on sinkhole or on containment berms, due to seismic monitoring indicating ongoing elevated MEQ (micro-earthquake) activity near sinkhole/Oxy 3
Sub-slab Sampling and Ventilation
– Conducting ventilation system inspections
ORW/CPT Wells
– Monitoring pump drawdown tests of OGRW 1 (Oxy 2 well pad)
– Continuing pump test on ORWs 39 and 40 (north of containment berm)
– Removing water from ORW 10 (west of containment berm)
– Installing concrete pads around ORWs, PMWs and flares
– Monitoring industrial water wells
– Measuring water level of industrial water wells and MRAA water wells
– Sampling industrial water wells
Containment Berm/Roads/Sinkhole
– Surveying DPVE 47 settlement plates
– Reducing pressure in Oxy 3A (working from Oxy 9 pad)
– Continuing placement of limestone on work area west of Bayou Corne, south of La 70
– Sampling outfall locations
8:55 a.m. Flyover Video Uploaded
A video of yesterday’s flyover has been uploaded and can be viewed at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/assumptionla
1:40 p.m. Update from the Office of Conservation
Monday, Oct. 28 work-
Sinkhole Activity Code 3 – indicating no work is allowed directly on sinkhole or on containment berms, due to seismic monitoring indicating ongoing elevated MEQ (micro-earthquake) activity near sinkhole/Oxy 3
Sub-slab Sampling and Ventilation
– Conducting ventilation system inspections
ORW/CPT Wells
– Monitoring pump drawdown tests of OGRW 1 (Oxy 2 well pad)
– Continuing pump test on ORWs 39 and 40 (north of containment berm)
– Removing water from ORW 6 and ORW 10 (west of containment berm) and preparing to flare
– Installing flow meter equipment on ORW 52 (west of Bayou Corne, south of La 70)
– Re-installing pressure transducers in ORW 17 and ORW 19 (west of containment berm)
Containment Berm/Roads/Sinkhole
– Surveying DPVE 47 settlement plates
– Placing additional tiltmeter equipment near Texas Brine facility brine tanks to monitor for potential movement
– Reducing pressure in Oxy 3A (working from Oxy 9 pad)
– Continuing placement of limestone on work area west of Bayou Corne, south of La 70
2:30 p.m. Update
A crack has developed on the South Berm, south/southwest of pad 3. There is also increased seismic activity occurring. We will continue to monitor the south berm and sinkhole for any changes and will update accordingly.
Assumption Parish Police Jury 