AREA SITES CONSIDERED FOR CRUDE OIL STORAGE
By Ella Tyler
The Department Energy is currently considering sites to expand the Strategic Petroleum Reserve’s storage capacity. In this program, crude oil is stored in caverns created by the solution mining of salt domes. There are currently four existing facilities, two in Louisiana and two in Texas, with a capacity of about 727 million barrels.
The DOE is considering some combination of constructing five new sites and expanding three existing sites to bring its storage capacity to 1 billion barrels. It recently released a draft environmental impact statement comparing the various sites under consideration. According to the document, one possible site for a new storage facility is the Stratton Ridge salt dome, which is about 3 miles east of Lake Jackson. Other new sites being considered are in Louisiana and Mississippi.
Sites considered for expansion are Big Hill, Texas, which is about 17 miles southwest of Port Arthur; West Hackberry, Louisiana; and Bayou Choctaw, Louisiana. West Hackberry is close to the Texas border, about 16 miles southwest of Lake Charles. Bayou Choctaw is near Baton Rouge.
The reserve is a national stockpile of crude oil, established following the 1973 – 74 oil embargo. Currently, 688 million barrels is stored. Oil has been withdrawn from storage in response to energy emergencies twice: in 1991, during the Persian Gulf War; and in September 2005 after Hurricane Katrina devastated oil production, distribution, and refining industries in Louisiana and Mississippi. However, oil has been withdrawn for other uses many times. Small amounts of oil are routinely withdrawn from the reserves to test equipment. In addition, oil is removed to satisfy trading agreements with private companies in which the reserve ultimately receives more oil than it releases.
The DOE reports that oil spills and brine spills in this form of storage are not a substantial environmental risk.
If a new facility were to be built at the Stratton Ridge, it would cover about 370 acres. Water for solution mining would be drawn from the Intercoastal Waterway and brine would be diffused into the Gulf of Mexico. Planners estimate that there would need to be 61 miles of new right of way for pipelines, roads, and power lines, and construction of a terminal and tank farm in Texas City. The raw water intake and brine disposal right of way and the crude oil right of way would cross the Brazoria National Wildlife refuge in two places. The facility would be visible from the refuge.
An expansion at Big Hill would require about 200 more acres of land. Water will be drawn from the Intercoastal Waterway and brine diffused into the Gulf of Mexico. The project would use existing intake and diffuser lines, but would still require 24 more miles of right of way. Big Hill’s brine disposal pipe crosses the McFadden Wildlife refuge.
An expansion at West Hackberry would require about 89 more acres of land, but would use existing facilities.
The summary of the draft environmental statement minimizes consequences at the three area sites from either the taking of water from the Intercoastal Waterway or the disposal of brine into the Gulf of Mexico. It concludes that there would be wetlands loss at any of the sites. Stratton Ridge, if selected, would require more study to consider the impact on air quality of a new facility.
There will be five public hearings on this proposal. One will be in Lake Jackson, on Tuesday, June 27, at 7 pm. It will be at the Lake Jackson Civic Center, 333 Highway 332 East. The public comment period lasts until July 10. To comment or request a time to speak at a hearing, e-mail donald.silawsky@hq.doe.gov or fax material to Donald Silawsky at (202) 586-4446. The draft EIS is available at the DOE website.