Anadarko Petroleum Co. and two related oil production companies have agreed to pay a civil penalty of more than $1 million to resolve violations of the Clean Water Act, according to EPA and Justice officials.

Anadarko, Howell Corp. and Howell Petroleum Corp. will pay $1.05 million and develop facility response plans and revise spill prevention as well as containment plans at a cost of more than $8 million, according to the consent decree filed in U.S. District Court in Cheyenne, Wyo.

Anadarko Petroleum and the two related companies allegedly discharged harmful quantities of oil from facilities in Wyoming on more than 35 occasions between Jan. 26, 2003, and Oct. 19, 2008. The government complaint alleges the companies released more than 31,300 barrels of oily water and crude oil, which resulted in an observable film, sheen or discoloration on the surface of the impacted water or shoreline. The spills occurred on oil production fields in Park, Johnson and Natrona counties and resulted in the pollutants being discharged into the tributaries or drainages of Silver Tip Creek and Salt Creek.

The consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and subsequent court approval. A copy of the consent decree is available on the Justice Department Web site at www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html.

Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Bruce Geiselman at 330-865-6172 or bgeiselman@crain.com

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