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Site Report: Petro Star Refinery

Site Name: Petro Star Refinery
Address: 1200 H&H Lane, North Pole, AK 99705
File Number: 100.38.102
Hazard ID: 535
Status: Active
Staff: Rebekah Reams, 9074512144 rebekah.reams@alaska.gov
Latitude: 64.732667
Longitude: -147.345304
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

The refinery was built in 1985 and consists of a refinery, tank farm, and loading facility on approximately 49 acres. This site consists of two source areas; the ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) release and the gasoline aboveground storage tank (AST) release. The ULSD release area (near the Fuel System Icing Inhibitor [FSII] building) and the gasoline release area (near the Return Oil Coolers) are both in the northeast quadrant of the property. ULSD Release: A gasket failure near the FSII building at the refinery resulted in the release of approximately 1,400 gallons of ULSD on October 22, 2010. Following the release approximately 50 cubic yards of contaminated soil was removed from the site. Nearby structures, flow lines, and electrical conduits to the north and west of the impacted area limited lateral and vertical excavation. Following the excavation confirmation samples were collected and two monitoring wells were installed to characterize the extent of contamination. In 2013 four additional monitoring wells and in 2019 one temporary well point and two monitoring wells were advanced to further characterize the site. Annual groundwater monitoring has occurred at this source area. Gasoline Release: On December 2, 2010, a split in the filter housing on the gasoline pump near the Return Oil Coolers at the refinery resulted in the release of about 230 gallons of unleaded gasoline from a 600-gallon aboveground storage tank. Following the release approximately 70 cubic yards of contaminated soil was removed from the site. The vertical and lateral extent of soil excavation was limited by a concrete containment slab and cooling-fan enclosure at the east side of the affected area. Following the excavation confirmation soil samples were collected, test pits were advanced, and monitoring wells were installed to characterize the extent of contamination. In 2014 seven temporary well points were advanced at the site and in 2015 four monitoring wells were installed and in 2019 on additional temporary well point and two monitoring wells were installed to further characterize the extent of contamination. Annual groundwater monitoring has occurred at this source area. Cross reference file numbers 100.07.259 and 100.02.067 and spill numbers 10309929501 & 10309933601.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
1/27/1987 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = FI - Field Inspection (General)). Sampling of wells at Petro Star detected up to 180 ppb benzene in 2/12/88 sample from shop. Contaminants also detected in samples from meter building (unit well?) and fire well. Former Staff
6/18/1987 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). Letter from W. Gore indicating that monitoring wells would be installed, what would be done with contaminated gravel, and that the water well would be tested. Former Staff
10/21/1987 Interim Removal Action Approved (Old R:Base Action Code = AWS - Alternative Water Supply (General)). Connected to North Pole water. Former Staff
12/3/1990 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Initial ranking. Former Staff
1/14/1994 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RPL2 - Site Information Request Letter). Sent PRP-CS Database Notification Letter to RP requesting update and more environmental information. RP responded with completed information form. Jeff Peterson
1/25/1994 Site Added to Database Petroleum contamination. Former Staff
3/2/2001 Update or Other Action File number updated from 100.02.067 to 100.38.102. Mitzi Read
7/10/2002 GIS Position Updated Plotted latitude and longitude coordinates and found them to be acceptable for associated property or address. Heather Goldman
8/9/2005 GIS Position Updated Corrected site location due to new Brownfields designation. Old position was on edge of property, moved to center of property. Updated metadata fields accordingly. Torsten Ernst
6/2/2008 Update or Other Action Staff changed to Farris Ann Farris
7/3/2008 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed. Ann Farris
11/4/2010 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Staff received a work plan from PERP to investigate a release of approximately 1400 gallons of ultra--low-sulfor diesel near the "FSSI" building. An estimated 500 gallons overflowed from the secondary containment. Excavation occurred to the extent practicable, but it was in a tight spot near the building and piping infrastructure. 14 soil samples will be collected at the limits of excavation and analyzed for GRO, DRO, BTEX and PAHs. Three monitoring wells will be installed downgradient and sampled for the same contaminants. Flint Hills North Pole Refinery is immediately downgradient of the Petrostar facility. Ann Farris
3/19/2013 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by PERP staff Paul Lhotka. Spill no. 10309929501; spill date = 10/22/10; substance = ultra-low sulfur diesel; quantity = ~2,000 gallons; PERP file no. 100.02.067. Mitzi Read
6/27/2013 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by PERP staff Paul Lhotka. Spill no. 10309933601; spill date = 12/2/2010; substance = gasoline; quantity = ~29 gallons; source = cracked fuel filter housing on aboveground storage tank. Mitzi Read
11/14/2013 Site Characterization Report Approved DEC reviewed the gasoline release cleanup report for spill #10309933601. The amount released was much larger than originally believed, and consisted of as much as 230 gallons of gasoline. GRO, DRO, and benzene contamination remain on the eastern portion of the excavated area at a depth of about 5 feet. Shannon and Wilson recommend a groundwater investigation due to the shallow aquifer at this site. Stockpiled soil will be landfarmed in a lined, fertilized biocell. Robert Burgess
5/27/2014 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC met with Petro Star to discuss several sites. Shannon & Wilson is continuing work at the refinery for both the Ultra-low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) spill and the gasoline spill. Recent work indicated no current downgradient impacts to groundwater at the ULSD spill. Shannon & Wilson is proposing long-term monitoring at this source area. Groundwater investigation is planned for the gasoline spill and Shannon & Wilson is awaiting DEC's approval of a workplan to install temporary well points downgradient of the spill. Robert Burgess
6/4/2014 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC provided comments on the Draft Site Characterization Work Plan for the 2010 Gasoline release. Robert Burgess
7/17/2014 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC reviewed the ULSD Release, Additional Soil and Groundwater Characterization report for the Petro Star refinery. The investigation found no additional impacts to soil above cleanup levels in four borings north and northwest of the release and existing monitoring wells. Groundwater samples from MW-10-02 contained DRO in excess of cleanup levels, and MW-10-01 was not sampled because of the presence of free product (LNAPL). Downgradient groundwater samples from MW-10-03 and temporary well points did not contain contaminants in excess of cleanup levels. Shannon and Wilson recommends that LNAPL be monitored and removed when practicable, and that groundwater concentrations be monitored annually for at least three years to evaluate trends. Robert Burgess
1/25/2016 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 79859 name: 600 gallon Gasoline AST This ranking reflects conditions noted in the initial report documenting soil excavation and confirmation sampling. Robert Burgess
1/25/2016 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC reviewed the Monitoring Well Installation and Sampling Report for the 2010 gasoline release. Benzene and toluene were detected in some groundwater samples but at concentrations below cleanup levels. Remaining soil contamination is limited in extent to a small area. Shannon and Wilson recommends additional groundwater sampling in spring of 2016 followed by an evaluation of closure for this source area. Robert Burgess
1/26/2016 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 79859 600 gallon Gasoline AST. Robert Burgess
4/26/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC reviewed the Monitoring Well Installation and Sampling Report submitted by Shannon & Wilson, Inc. The report describes sampling monitoring wells downgradient of the two active release areas on the refinery. The DEC submitted comments and requested revision of the report, in addition to requesting additional characterization and details on ongoing product recovery efforts. Robert Burgess
5/8/2017 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC met with Petro Star and Shannon & Wilson, Inc. to discuss ongoing progress and plans at several sites. Robert Burgess
4/25/2018 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC received the site characterization work plan for the Gasoline and Ultra-low Sulfur Diesel releases for the Petro Star Refinery. Robert Burgess
10/5/2018 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC provided comments to the April 2018 Site Characterization Workplan for the Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel and Gasoline release at Petro Star Refinery. Megan Roberts
10/16/2018 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC staff met with Petro Star at Shannon and Wilson's office to discuss several sites. For the Petro Star Refinery, the proposed wells for the ULSD release were approved. Discussions were started for the gasoline spill but concluded incomplete due to time. RP is to send in response to DEC comments regarding the April 2018 Site Characterization Workplan. RP plans to submit a revised workplan after DEC reviews RP's response. Megan Roberts
5/1/2019 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC received a work plan describing the installation of two additional permanent monitoring wells and one temporary well point at both the ULSD and gasoline source areas to collect soil and groundwater data. Petro Star Refinery proposes a 3 year annual groundwater monitoring program to assess contamination concentration trends. Manual product recovery attempts will be conducted weekly by Petro Star staff in wells where LNAPL is present. Megan Roberts
5/20/2019 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC prepared and mailed comments regarding revisions to the work plan. Megan Roberts
6/6/2019 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC received and reviewed a revised work plan. DEC provided minor comments for revision. Megan Roberts
6/10/2019 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC received and reviewed the final work plan. Megan Roberts
6/11/2019 Site Characterization Workplan Approved DEC approved the work plan that describes the installation of two additional permanent monitoring wells and one temporary well point at both the ULSD and gasoline source areas to collect soil and groundwater data. A 3 year groundwater monitoring program will conducted 2019 through 2021. Megan Roberts
8/20/2019 Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved DEC approved the disposal of one drum of soil cuttings generated from monitoring well installation. Soil will be thermally treated at OIT in Moose Creek. Robert Burgess
2/21/2020 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC received 2019 Site Characterization Report, Gasoline and ULSD Releases Petro Star Refinery on 2/21/2020. This report documents the advancement of two soil borings and one temporary well point at each source area and sampling of new and existing monitoring wells. Rebekah Reams
2/21/2020 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC received 2019 Site Characterization Report, Gasoline and ULSD Releases Petro Star Refinery on 2/21/2020. This report documents the advancement of two soil borings and one temporary well point at each source area and sampling of new and existing monitoring wells. Rebekah Reams
5/5/2020 Update or Other Action DEC approved the request to defer environmental characterization activities at the North Pole Refinery for the 2020 field season. Based on the most recent site characterization report, the current conceptual site model for the site does not indicate a significant current exposure risk, and the impact of delaying site characterization work is not likely to cause additional risk at this time. Rebekah Reams
6/16/2020 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other The Revised 2019 Site Characterization Report (submitted on June 10, 2020) addressed all DEC comments provided on the 2019 Site Characterization Report. No additional revisions will be requested. Rebekah Reams
10/7/2020 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 79859 600 gallon Gasoline AST. Rebekah Reams
2/26/2021 Update or Other Action DEC provided comments on an Environmental Management Plan submitted to support construction activities scheduled to begin March 1, 2021. Rebekah Reams
6/29/2021 Site Characterization Workplan Approved DEC approved the 2021 Site Characterization Work Plan following comment resolution. This document outlines plans to advance and sample one soil boring and three temporary well points at the ultra-low sulfur diesel release area, install and sample four temporary wells points in the vicinity of TWP21-01, and sample existing wells at the ULSD and gasoline source areas. Rebekah Reams
5/20/2022 Meeting or Teleconference Held ADEC met with Petro Star Refinery and their consultant to discuss additional groundwater delineation at the site. Rebekah Reams
5/20/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC provided comments on the 2021 Site Characterization Report dated February 18, 2022 and requested a work plan that fulfills the recommendations laid out in the report and proposes a method to further define the extent of contaminated groundwater to the north of the ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) source area and to the northeast of well points KYP-TWP21-01 and WP21-07. Rebekah Reams
9/7/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC Approved the 2022 Work Plan Addendum. This document outlines plans to sample existing monitoring wells, install and sample two permanent monitoring wells, and install and sample eight temporary well points to further define the extent of groundwater contamination at this site. Rebekah Reams
4/20/2023 Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved DEC approved transport of 15 gallons of soil that was generated on January 29, 2021 during the advancement of soil borings SB21-01 through SB21-04 and temporary well point TWP21-01 which were advanced to gather data in advance of a construction project. Rebekah Reams
4/26/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other 2022 Site Characterization Report finalized following comment resolution. This report documents the installation of two monitoring wells and eight temporary well points and the collection of groundwater samples from new and existing site monitoring wells and proposes a long term groundwater monitoring plan be established at the site. Rebekah Reams
8/25/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC approved the 2023 Work Plan Addendum. This work plan proposes to install an additional groundwater monitoring well to monitor for potential contaminant migration and to collect groundwater samples from nine site wells. Rebekah Reams
3/28/2024 Workplan Requested DEC reviewed and responded to the 2023 Site Characterization Report which summarized the installation of monitoring well MW23-01 and the collection of groundwater samples from select site wells. DEC concurred with the recommendation to discontinue weekly manual product recovery efforts and requested a long-term groundwater monitoring work plan be submitted. Rebekah Reams

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments

Control Type

Type Details

Requirements

Description Details
Hazard ID Site Name File Number
539 Flint Hills Resources Refinery 100.38.090

Missing Location Data

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