Breton Sound Polluted in Deliberate Wastewater Dumping Scheme
New Orleans, LA – Hannan Edward, former on-site manager for St. Bernard Well Service, was sentenced in February 2012 after pleading guilty to knowingly violating the Clean Water Act. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a deliberate scheme to illegally discharge contaminated wastewater from an oil platform into the sensitive Breton Sound ecosystem in Louisiana. The incident underscores the ongoing risks posed by improper waste management practices in the oil and gas industry.
According to court documents, Edward, while employed by St. Bernard Well Service – contracted by Linder Oil Company to handle daily production functions – ordered an employee to dump “produced water” directly into Breton Sound. Produced water is a byproduct of oil and gas extraction, a complex mixture containing pollutants and requiring proper disposal at onshore facilities. Linder Oil had contracted St. Bernard Well Service to handle this waste, which should have been loaded onto a barge for legal disposal.
The deception began surfacing in 2007 when a Linder Oil employee alerted a supervisor to discrepancies in reports submitted by St. Bernard Well Service. Reports dating back to July 2006 indicated *no* produced water being generated. When questioned, Edward falsely claimed the well was producing clean oil, allegedly to maintain his contract with Linder Oil. This fabricated narrative allowed Edward to avoid the cost and logistical effort of proper waste disposal, instead opting for the cheaper, but illegal, method of direct discharge.
The EPA’s investigation determined that Edward knowingly circumvented federal regulations designed to protect waterways. The illegal dumping continued for an undisclosed period, potentially causing significant environmental damage to Breton Sound, a vital coastal wetland area. The scheme was ultimately uncovered through internal reporting within Linder Oil, prompting the EPA to launch a criminal investigation.
Legal Ramifications
Edward was initially charged on June 14, 2011, with one count of violating 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A) of the Clean Water Act – specifically, knowingly violating the Act’s provisions. He ultimately pled guilty to the charge. On February 9, 2012, he received a sentence of 36 months of probation and was ordered to pay a $15,000 federal fine. The case serves as a cautionary tale for others in the industry, highlighting the serious consequences of environmental crimes.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Hannan Edward
- Location: Breton Sound, Louisiana
- Company Involved: St. Bernard Well Service & Linder Oil Company
- Crime: Illegal discharge of produced water, a pollutant, into a sensitive waterway.
- Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A) – Knowingly violating the Clean Water Act. Also 33 U.S.C. 1311(a).
- Penalty: 36 months probation and $15,000 fine.
- Timeline: Illegal dumping occurred before July 2007; charges filed June 14, 2011; sentencing February 9, 2012.
GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments regarding environmental crimes in the Gulf Coast region.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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