Louisiana Oil Spills and Leaking Pipeline

Louisiana Oil Spills and Leaking Pipeline



2007 September -   The Meridian Resource & 
Exploration LLC and Louisiana Onshore Properties LLC will pay a $504,000 
civil penalty and enhance the pipeline monitoring and oil spill prevention 
program at its Weeks Island facility in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, to 
resolve alleged violations of the Clean Water Act, federal officials 
announced today. 
The settlement resolves the claims asserted in the complaint, which was 
filed at the same time as the proposed consent decree said officials with 
the Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 
EPA. 
The complaint seeks civil penalties and injunctive relief for five 
unauthorized discharges of crude oil into waters of the United States 
between November 2005 and November 1, 2006 from two pipelines and one oil 
production well at Meridian’s facility. 
The complaint alleges that approximately 747 barrels of oil (31,000 
gallons) were spilled into or along Weeks Bayou and the Intracoastal 
Waterway. 
Under the consent decree, Meridian has agreed to expand and improve its 
pipeline monitoring, inspection, and maintenance program, which will 
include both internal and external corrosion prevention, and to retain an 
independent consultant to evaluate Meridian’s pipeline maintenance and 
monitoring efforts. 
Meridian also has replaced most of the 6" diameter pipeline that was the 
source of three of the spills. 
"I applaud the efforts of the agents, lawyers, and others who brought 
these polluters to justice," said Donald Washington, U.S. attorney for the 
Western District of Louisiana. 
"We are committed to protecting the integrity of the environment through 
vigorous criminal and civil enforcement actions against those who pollute 
our air and water," said Washington. "The protection of our environment is 
vitally necessary to our future prosperity and existence." 
"This settlement holds Meridian accountable for its spills and requires 
Meridian to take affirmative measures to prevent and respond more quickly 
to any future unauthorized discharges at this facility," said EPA Regional 
Administrator Richard Greene. "The result is more protection for the 
coastal Louisiana environment." 
The $504,000 penalty is in addition to the costs incurred by Meridian to 
respond to the oil spills as they occurred and to replace the leaking 
pipeline. The penalty paid for these spills will be deposited in the 
federal Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. 
The proposed consent decree, lodged in the Western District of Louisiana, 
is subject to a 30-day public comment period and court review and 
approval. 

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