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EPA and Pioneer agree to drinking water protection on Fort Peck Reservation

Release Date: 8/21/2001
Contact Information:
800 227-8917 x6211,

Release Date: 8/21/2001
Contact Information:
800 227-8917 x6893,

Release Date: 8/21/2001
Contact Information:
800 227-8917 x7814

Denver -- On August 16, 2001, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Pioneer Natural Resources USA Inc. (Pioneer) agreed to an Emergency Order which requires Pioneer to stop one of its former oil production wells from contaminating a drinking water aquifer in the East Poplar Oil Field on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in northeastern Montana. Pioneer has 90 days from its receipt of the Order to stop the leaking well from contaminating the aquifer.

The Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes rely on the aquifer, which is found to contain high levels of the contaminants benzene and total dissolved solids. Benzene is known to cause cancer in humans and people forced to drink water with high total dissolved solids may suffer severe diarrhea and dehydration. In addition, a sample from a monitoring well nearby showed more than 40 feet of "free" oil in the well floating on top of the ground water.

"EPA is taking this action to protect a valuable underground drinking water source," Technical Enforcement Lead Nathan Wiser said."Even faced with an Order, Pioneer has shown a level of cooperation that should set the standard for other oil companies that have done business in East Poplar Oil Field. Pioneer's willingness to abate the groundwater contamination at its former oil well is the kind of responsibility EPA encourages."

The Order approves a plan to contain the leaking oil well and monitor the aquifer to determine that the leak was stopped. The approved plan includes a way to contain the well, extensive monitoring, quarterly reports, quality assurance and quality control. Pioneer must submit alternate well containment and monitoring plans if the currently approved plan fails to actually stop the leak. Failure to comply with the Order could result in fines up to $15,000 per day of non-compliance.