ExxonMobil Pipeline Company Provides Update on Cleanup Operations

04.07.2011  |  Business Wire

ExxonMobil Pipeline Company provided the following update as cleanup
operations continued Sunday evening following a release of oil into the
Yellowstone River.

• 
  More than 120 people were involved in the response and cleanup effort
  including ExxonMobil′s North America Regional Response Team, the Clean
  Harbors oil spill response organization, and additional contractors.
  An additional 80 people were expected on site Monday.
  
• 
  For the purposes of the response, the area downriver of the spill has
  been organized into four zones. Cleanup activities are focused in the
  first two zones, Laurel to Duck Creek Bridge, a distance of seven
  miles from the spill location, and Duck Creek Bridge to Johnson Lane
  (12 miles). Reconnaissance and evaluation activities are under way in
  the second two zones, Johnson Lane to Miles City (144 miles) and Miles
  City to Glendive (78 miles).
  
• 
  Cleanup crews are using absorbent pads to soak up oil, boom to isolate
  oil that has pooled adjacent to the river and vacuum trucks and
  tankers to pick up and dispose of the oil.
  
• 
  Air quality monitoring is ongoing and has confirmed no danger to
  public health. Municipal water systems are being notified to monitor
  water quality but no reports of impacts have been received to date.
  
• 
  Daily aerial flights over the river are being undertaken to locate
  additional oil locations and monitor and direct cleanup activity.
  
• 
  More than 70 calls to the community claims line have been received. A
  claims hotline number (1-888-382-0043) was established to assist
  individuals who might have been impacted by this event.
  
• 
  Workers from the International Bird Rescue are expected to arrive on
  Monday. The Montana Audubon Conservation Education Center and
  Yellowstone Valley Audubon have offered to provide wildlife recovery
  services and facilities. One report of impacted wildlife has been
  received.
  
• 
  Contacts with senior government officials were made throughout the
  day. ExxonMobil is coordinating the response with the Environmental
  Protection Agency; the Montana Department of Environmental Quality;
  U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
  Safety Administration; Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks; Yellowstone
  County Disaster and Emergency Services; and Yellowstone County
  commissioners.
  
• 
  An investigation team has been established to determine the cause of
  the release.