SKA Consulting, L.P. was retained to perform site investigation activities adjacent to an active drill pad located inZavala County,Texas.

SKA conducted a subsurface investigation on two areas of the site denoted as “Zone 1” and “Zone 2”.  Zone 1 was located adjacently south of an active drill site/well pad and consisted of open pasture, while Zone 2 was located adjacently south and east of the active drill site/well pad and consisted of a natural drainage pathway through native brush and trees.

An inadvertent release of approximately 140 barrels (bbls) of crude oil occurred from a frac tank located on the drill pad.  The operator conducted immediate soil response actions (i.e., removal of affected soils) including soil/waste removal, characterization, and off-site disposal.  SKA subsequently conducted a Site Investigation that consisted of subsurface soil sampling and testing to confirm or deny if adverse environmental impacts to native soils remained on the site (i.e., confirmation soil sampling).

The confirmation soil samples were analyzed in the testing laboratory for a variety of organic and inorganic constituents of concern.  The analytical testing results were then compared to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Texas Risk Reduction Program (TRRP) Tier I Residential Protective Concentration Levels (PCLs) and/or Texas-Specific Background Concentrations (i.e., most conservative approach). No constituents were reported within any of the soil samples at or above their respective regulatory standards.

Based on the results of the site investigations performed by SKA, a comprehensive report was prepared with sufficient data to provide to the RRC and property owner concluding that all necessary soil response actions were successfully completed.