Skip to content Skip to content

Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

You are here: DEC / SPAR / CSP / SPAR Online Services / Contaminated Sites Search / Site Report

Site Report: Dowell Schlumberger Lease Tracts 32 & 33

Site Name: Dowell Schlumberger Lease Tracts 32 & 33
Address: Spine Road, Deadhorse, AK 99734
File Number: 300.38.036
Hazard ID: 585
Status: Cleanup Complete - Institutional Controls
Staff: IC Unit, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 70.229394
Longitude: -148.383502
Horizontal Datum:WGS84

We make every effort to ensure the data presented here is accurate based on the best available information currently on file with DEC. It is therefore subject to change as new information becomes available. We recommend contacting the assigned project staff prior to making decisions based on this information.

Problems/Comments

Impacted tundra adjacent to the pad is potentially caused by spills on site. Potential contaminants include hydrocarbons, acids, metals, and inorganics. Sagavanirktok River and surface waters are potentially threatened. Quantities, dates of disposal, extent of contamination unknown. EPA ID #AKD000814012. Patented state land. Cross reference file#s 300.02.010, 300.07.050 and 300.23.020 for spill reports.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
9/8/1986 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = FI - Field Inspection (General)). RCRA site inspection by J. Mach. Concluded Dowell Schlumberger does not appear to be a hazardous waste generator. Jeff Mach
7/16/1988 Notice of Violation NOV issued by B. Fristoe for discharge of hazardous substances on pads. Spilled substances included dry chemicals and liquids. Brad Fristoe
6/8/1989 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = FI - Field Inspection (General)). Three composite samples (soil?) analyzed for metals, corrosivity, flash point, and reactivity. Former Staff
7/22/1990 Interim Removal Action Approved (Old R:Base Action Code = SC - Site Control (Emergency Response)). The ARCO Haz-Mat team responded to the acid spill and sprayed it with a foam/soda ash mixture. The Responsible Party sprayed an aqueous solution of lime and soda ash to neutralize the acid. Approximately 6,100 gallons of acid was picked up with a vacuum truck and slated for disposal in an injection well. Former Staff
7/27/1990 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = MS - Monitoring/Sampling). The pond, gravel pad, and containment area were all tested for pH levels. Several areas (or hotspots) with abnormal pH levels were noted. Monitoring will continue for the next 2 years. Mehrdad Nadem
9/21/1990 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). Water samples collected from points inside destroyed building indicate up to 0.79 ppm phenols, 0.47 ppm barium, 0.24 ppm cadmium, 0.10 ppm copper and lead, and 1.5 ppm zinc. Former Staff
10/10/1990 Site Added to Database Hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acid mix. Former Staff
1/2/1991 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Initial ranking. Former Staff
6/10/1991 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Reranked site. Former Staff
1/1/1994 Update or Other Action Most of the actions prior to this were transferred from another entry titled "Dowell Schlumberger Acid Spill" reckey #1990730920301. Both sites share the same file # and are at the same physical location Bill O'Connell
1/1/1994 Update or Other Action A catastrophic fire completely destroyed a warehouse at this site in 1990. Burned material was drummed as Haz waste and disposed of at Arlington OR facility. Following response actions, a vertical barrier liner was installed around the entire pad and an interceptor trench was dug to collect potentially contaminated runoff. Bill O'Connell
1/6/1995 Site Number Identifier Changed Region changed from 40. Scott Rose
1/6/1995 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = FI - Field Inspection (General)). Site inspection by C. Caraway. Found tears in tank pit liners. Former Staff
1/6/1995 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). Soil and water analyses. Up to 600 ppb benzene, 1200 ppb toluene, 2500 ppb ethylbenzene, 100,000 ppb xylenes, and 340 ppm TPH in groundwater. Former Staff
1/6/1995 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). Soil analyses indicate up to 13 ppm ethylene glycol, 7.3 ppm formaldehyde, 700 ppm fluoride, 2030 ppm magnesium, and 69.4 ppm ammonia-N. Former Staff
1/6/1995 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). Approximately 300 gallons of liquid spilled from FRAC tank on to pad. Liquid froze and was subsequently scraped up, melted, and placed back in FRAC tank. Analyses of liquid indicate up to 3.1 ppb lead. Former Staff
4/16/1999 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other This report was received in October 2008. The report describes a site inspection and monitoring effort during which the vertical barrier liner (VBL) was inspected, pore water samples were collected from inside the VBL and thermistor data was collected from the thermistor strings. The thermistor data indicated the VBL was indeed still keyed into the permafrost as was originally intended and potentially contaminated pore water was unable to reach the surrounding tundra. Pore water samples were collected from sumps originally installed to aid dewatering of the pad should it become saturated. There were five sumps installed following the fire, Sump #5 was decommissioned in 1998, and Sump #4 was in an area of standing water and was not sampled in 1998. Samples collected from Sumps #1, 2, and 3 in 1998 contained DRO up to 0.92 mg/l in Sump #2 and GRO up to 0.59 mg/l in Sump #1. Benzene was not detected. PAHs were not detected except for one detection of naphthalene in Sump #1 at 0.012 mg/l. Bill O'Connell
6/19/2006 Update or Other Action Project Management changed to O'Connell Bill O'Connell
9/20/2006 Update or Other Action After review of existing information and discussion with RP Schlumberger, action on this site will be postponed until summer 2007, at which time ADEC will conduct a site visit to evaluate current conditions at the pad and the effectiveness of remedial action following the fire and acid spill in 1990. Bill O'Connell
7/25/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Bill O'Connell
8/22/2007 Update or Other Action Site visit today. No evidence of impacts from acid spill or fire remain. No sheen on adjacent surface water, no impact to vegetation. Bill O'Connell
9/9/2008 Update or Other Action Letter sent to Schlumberger requesting additional characterization of the area beneath the concrete slab at the warehouse building. Samples collected after the fire in 1991 indicated significant contaminant concentrations in soil below the slab that could pose a potential risk to workers via the vapor intrusion pathway Bill O'Connell
5/20/2009 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Work plan submitted by Schlumberger and reviewed by ADEC. 8 locations beneath the acid storage building will be sampled to evaluate contaminant concentrations. Samples will be analyzed for DRO/RRO and BTEX. Bill O'Connell
6/8/2009 Update or Other Action During an initial site walk, the area intended for sampling was found to still be frozen. The area will be monitored for thaw and sampled later in the summer. Bill O'Connell
9/21/2009 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Reviewed report from 2009 sampling. Four soil samples were collected from under the acid storage building and analyzed for DRO, RRO, and BTEX, with the highest PID sample also analyzed for VOCs. DRO was detected from 3,960 mg/kg to 16,000 mg/kg. RRO and BTEX concentrations were not detected above cleanup levels. Other VOCs were not detected, except for 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, which was detected below the cleanup level. Bill O'Connell
9/28/2009 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 71564 Acid spill, fire. Bill O'Connell
10/30/2009 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Contaminated Sites Program (ADEC) has completed a review of the environmental records associated with the Dowell Schlumberger Lease Tracts 32 and 33 located on Spine Road in Deadhorse, Alaska. Based on the information provided to date, it has been determined that the contaminant concentrations remaining on site do not pose an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment and no further remedial action will be required as long as the site is in compliance with established institutional controls. Bill O'Connell
10/30/2009 Institutional Control Record Established Institutional Controls established and entered into the database. Bill O'Connell
6/13/2012 Institutional Control Compliance Review An IC review was conducted on this site and the staff assigned was changed from Bill O'Connell to IC Unit. Evonne Reese
1/2/2015 Institutional Control Update An IC reminder letter was issued to the responsible party on this date. Kristin Thompson
1/22/2015 Institutional Control Periodic Reporting Received a response from the RP stating that there have been no land use changes since the site was closed. Evonne Reese
6/20/2018 Institutional Control Compliance Review IC compliance review conducted. Closure/IC Details updated. Reminder system already set for next follow-up in 2020. Kristin Thompson
9/11/2020 Institutional Control Compliance Review IC Compliance review conducted on this date and IC reminder sent to RP on record. 5 year review period, next due 2025. Cascade Galasso-Irish
3/12/2024 Institutional Control Update DNR-SAIL added as affiliate. For DNR LAS information: ADL# 420639. Conveyed to North Slope Borough 3.02.2022 Jennifer McGrath

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
DRO > Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil Contamination remains under building on pilings

Control Type

Type Details
Signed CS Determination

Requirements

Description Details
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site. Standard condition.
When Contaminated Soil is Accessible, Remediation Should Occur Contaminated soil remaining beneath the acid storage building must be addressed under an ADEC approved work plan when the building is removed or if the soil is otherwise available for removal.
Other Dowell Schlumberger shall report to ADEC once every five years to document land use, or report as soon as they become aware of any changes in land ownership and/or use.
Movement or use of contaminated material (including on site) in a manner that results in a violation of the water quality standards is prohibited (18 AAC 70) Standard condition.

No associated sites were found.

Missing Location Data

Because the GIS location data for this site has not been entered, we cannot direct you to its position on the map. Click "Continue" to proceed to the Contaminated Sites Web Map or "Close" to return to the site report.
Continue     Close

Public Notices  •  Regulations  •  Statutes
Press Releases  •  Contact

 

State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

P.O. Box 111800
Juneau, AK 99811-1800
Phone: 907-465-5066
Fax: 907-465-5245
TDD: 800-770-8973
Physical Location: 410 Willoughby