Oklahoma Refining Company Superfund Site
About this Superfund Site
Location: Cyril, Caddo County, Oklahoma
Township and Range: Section 18-19, Township 5N, Range 9W
Latitude/Longitude: 34.89420200, -98.19819117
Site Type: Refinery
Area: 0.34 square miles/220 acres
National Priorities List: Final Listing Date – February 21, 1990
Current Status: Cleanup underway
Click to View Interactive Site Map
Cleanup Oversight Agencies: DEQ, EPA
Lead Agency: DEQ
Office: DEQ, Land Protection Division, (405) 702-5100
DEQ Site Project Manager: Chanh Le, (405) 702-5102
DEQ Press Contact: Erin Hatfield, (405) 702-7119
Site History and Background:
Operations at the Oklahoma Refining Company (ORC) site began in 1920 by the Anderson Pritchard Company (APCO). The ORC site was operated as a refinery under several different owners until 1994. Refining processes that took place included crude distillation, vacuum distillation, catalyst cracking, alkylation, bimetallic reforming, and downstream processing. Solid waste from these processes was kept in on-site surface pits and wastewater was sent through an oil-water separator, followed by treatment in impoundments. The water was then discharged into Gladys Creek. Over many years of production, contaminants leaked into the soil, sediment, surface water, and shallow ground water beneath the site. These contaminants include heavy metals, VOCs, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons. Also, areas of low and high pH ground water have been noted at the ORC site.
Work Completed:
The cleanup of soil and sediments in the southern portion of the ORC site has been completed. The remedy for the soils included:
- Bioremediation of organic wastes: 93,000 cubic yards
- Neutralization of acidic waste: 16,000 cubic yards
- Stabilization of metal containing waste: 14,000 cubic yards
- Removal of asphaltic material: 38,000 cubic yards
In August of 2003, EPA Emergency Response Branch demolished and removed the oil refinery structures, equipment, and chemicals on the northwestern region of the site. Two on-site landfills were built to contain site wastes. They were initially used as bio-treatment cells before final capping.
Cleanup Status:
Oklahoma Refining Company Superfund Site is currently divided into three separate operable units.
- Operable Unit 1 (ORC South): The cleanup of soil, pond sediment, and waste areas are complete on the southern portion of the site.
- Operable Unit 2 (ORC North): In April 2020, the Remedial Design report was completed for the cleanup of ORC North soils, sediments, wastes, and Gladys Creek sediments. In 2021, DEQ hired a contractor to perform the cleanup work as described in the 2013 Record of Decision. The work is ongoing and expected to continue for 1 to 2 years. Nearby residents can expect to see heavy construction equipment on site excavating soils and sediments, installing an LNAPL collection system, and expanding the on-site landfill.
- Operable Unit 3 (Ground Water, N. Gladys Creek Sediment, and Surface Water): Site-wide ground water contamination will be addressed in a future decision document. A Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) is currently being conducted focusing on ground water and surface water at the site. Three phases for the RI/FS are planned: Phase 1 includes gathering and reviewing existing data, field investigations, and sampling. Phase 1 will begin early 2017. Phase 2 may include sampling and analysis of ground water to fill in any gaps and determine off-site ground water contamination. Phase 3 will be the FS, which includes the development and evaluation of cleanup alternatives for ground water, surface water in Gladys Creek, and North Gladys Creek sediment.
Did You Know?
This refinery began in 1919 and was one of over 400 refineries that operated in the state at one time.
Land Use Restrictions:
A deed notice is currently in place for the site, with restrictions on drilling new wells and digging in capped areas. The site is zoned for industrial redevelopment.
Regulatory Profile:
- Sources of Contamination: Leaking tanks, product lines, pits, and surface impoundments
- Contaminants of Concern: Metals, VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), Petroleum, Organics, and Aromatic Hydrocarbons
- Ground Water Impacted: Rush Springs Sandstone Aquifer
- Surface Water Impacted: Gladys Creek