A quick response on Wednesday to an oil leak in southeast Oklahoma City prevented the crude from flowing down the Crooked Oak Creek and into the Oklahoma River.
An estimated 13 barrels of crude oil had leaked out of a gathering system maintained by Stephens & Johnson Operating Company, a firm headquartered in Wichita Falls, Texas.
Three environmental cleanup companies quickly arrived on the scene after the discovery was made around 8:30 a.m. Oklahoma Corporation Commission staffers were also notified as were the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and the Oklahoma City Storm Water Quality Department.
“They took quick action,” said Matt Skinner, a spokesman for the Corporation Commission which became the lead agency in the prevention and cleanup.
Media reports contended an underground oil tank leaked the crude oil into the nearby Crooked Oak Creek near Southeast 69 and Eastern Avenue. The creek eventually empties into the Oklahoma River and the site was about five miles from the river.
A spokesman at the Oklahoma City Fire Department, which was also notified and immediately dispatched to the scene told reporters, ““We believe it’s a control valve in this; it’s a holding tank and the control valve was busted.”
Fire crews were stationed at intersections from 59th street down to the river.
“We have several booms in place. We’re trying to catch as much product as possible before it hits the Oklahoma River,” said the spokesman. Fire crews left about three hours after first being called to the scene of the leak, leaving the operation in the hands of the Corporation Commission, the DEQ and the environmental companies.
Stephens & Johnson Operating was formed in 1993 and manages oil and gas properties and drilling programs. It also is connected to Stephens Engineering which provides services primarily in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
As of mid-day Thursday, the company did not respond to an inquiry by OK Energy Today.