Attached is photo taken this morning of the ongoing subsidence of the center portion of the Southern Berm. We continue to monitor any changes that may occur and will update accordingly.
Monthly Archives: December 2013
12:55 p.m. Statement from Texas Brine, re: South Berm
Today, in discussion with and approval from DNR and APOEP, Texas Brine
has received permission to proceed with temporary repair work to the south berm in order to raise the height of the berm to protect against any immediate potential for overtopping due to subsidence. As part of this discussion, TBC has agreed to move forward with planning and submission of Emergency Use Authorizations and engineering designs for the installation
of a new southern containment structure. TBC will then proceed with the installation of this new southern containment system once the requisite permission and approvals have been received from DNR, DEQ, and APOEP.
The current south berm and containment system is still intact and
providing a continuous barrier between the waters inside and out of the sinkhole, but in an abundance of caution and due to recent seismic and
settlement activity the decision has been made to move forward with these new plans in order to ensure the long term containment of the sinkhole and any contaminants. TBC will also install two additional inclinometers
south of the current southern berm to provide additional data and early
warning of any movement due to subsidence in this area. Multiple layers of boom are also in place as redundant systems to provide protection against floating contaminants should any overtopping take place. Water quality testing is continuing to take place and consistently shows that the surface water quality within the containment berm is virtually the same as waters outside the containment berm.
3:45 p.m. Update
Bayou Corne/Grand Bayou Response Activity
Monday, Dec. 30 work-
Sinkhole Activity Code 3 – indicating no work is allowed directly on sinkhole or within containment berms. Seismic monitoring indicates further increase in levels of subsurface activity near sinkhole/Oxy 3 – state and parish will continue to closely observe seismic activity to advise of any sudden changes.
Air Monitoring/Sub-slab Sampling and Ventilation
– Conducting ventilation system inspections
ORW/CPT Wells
– De-pressurizing ORW 54 (north of La 70, west of Texas Brine facility) to change out wellhead
– Monitoring bubble site 56 (Bayou Corne, north of La 70)
– Downloading transducer and tracking data from ORWs
Containment Berm/Roads/Sinkhole
– Work limited due to seismic Code 3
– Inspecting containment berm status
2:50 p.m. Update
Texas Brine advised that the tagging of Cavern 3 is at 4,076′ which is 66′ lower than the tagging performed two weeks ago. As information becomes available, it will be shared here.
10:50 a.m. Waste Management Pick Up
Notice to Assumption parish residents who have regular scheduled waste pick-up on Wednesdays:
Garbage will be picked up on SATURDAY. This same schedule will be followed next week (New Year’s holiday).
2:55 p.m. Update from the Office of Conservation
Bayou Corne/Grand Bayou Response Activity
Monday, Dec. 23 work-
Sinkhole Activity Code 3 – indicating no work is allowed directly on sinkhole or within containment berms. Seismic monitoring indicates further increase in levels of subsurface activity near sinkhole/Oxy 3 – state and parish will continue to closely observe seismic activity to advise of any sudden changes.
Air Monitoring/Sub-slab Sampling and Ventilation
– Conducting ventilation system inspections
ORW/CPT Wells
– Monitoring bubble site 56 (Bayou Corne, north of La 70)
– De-pressurizing ORW 54 (north of La 70, west of Texas Brine facility) to change out wellhead
Containment Berm/Roads/Sinkhole
– Surveying south containment berm
– Surveying containment berm settlement plates
– Checking sinkhole/swamp water levels
– Surveying Texas Brine water tanks (Oxy 1 pad)
2:00 p.m. Additional Cracks in South Berm
The South Berm has developed cracks where a previous crack was repaired, as well as new cracks in the lowest part of the berm (in a half moon shape). Attached is a picture of the cracks where previous repair was completed.
Additionally, the Micro Seismic Activity (MEQ) has been up for the last few days, with counts as high as 180 MEQ’s yesterday.
We will keep everyone posted as information develops.
3:00 p.m. Update from the Office of Conservation
Bayou Corne/Grand Bayou Response Activity
Thursday, Dec. 19 work-
Sinkhole Activity Code 3 – indicating no work is allowed directly on sinkhole or within containment berms. Seismic monitoring indicates further increase in levels of subsurface activity near sinkhole/Oxy 3 – state and parish will continue to closely observe seismic activity to advise of any sudden changes.
Air Monitoring/Sub-slab Sampling and Ventilation
– Conducting ventilation system inspections
ORW/CPT Wells
– Removing water from ORWs 1, 2, 22 (north of La 70, west of Texas Brine facility), and 39 (north of containment berm)
– Installing pump at ORWs 15 and 24 (north of La 70, west of Texas Brine facility)
– De-pressurizing ORW 54 (north of La 70, west of Texas Brine facility) to change out wellhead
Containment Berm/Roads/Sinkhole
– Continuing hydraulic head tests of aquifer monitoring wells
– Recording sinkhole water levels
5:20 p.m. Update from the Office of Conservation
Bayou Corne/Grand Bayou Response Activity
Wednesday, Dec. 18 work-
Sinkhole Activity Code 2 – indicating no work is allowed directly on sinkhole. Seismic monitoring indicates sustained increase in levels of subsurface activity near sinkhole/Oxy 3 – state and parish will continue to closely observe seismic activity to advise of any sudden changes.
Air Monitoring/Sub-slab Sampling and Ventilation
– Conducting ventilation system inspections
ORW/CPT Wells
– Removing water from ORWs 1, 2, 32 (north of La 70, west of Texas Brine facility), 18 (west of containment berm) and 39 (north of containment berm)
– De-pressurizing ORW 54 (north of La 70, west of Texas Brine facility) to change out wellhead
Containment Berm/Roads/Sinkhole
– Surveying containment berm settlement plates
– Surveying south containment berm
– Continuing hydraulic head tests of aquifer monitoring wells
– Sampling sinkhole inflow water
– Recording sinkhole water levels
11:05 a.m. Flyover Video Uploaded
Today’s flyover video has been uploaded and can be viewed at:
Assumption Parish Police Jury 