XPLOR Energy SPV-1, Inc. Fined for Clean Water Act Violation, Texas…

GRIMY TIMES NEWSFLASH: XPLOR Energy SPV-1, Inc. (XPLOR), an Oklahoma corporation, has been sentenced to three years of probation and a $3.1 million fine for violating the Clean Water Act by discharging produced water into the Gulf of Mexico.

The company, based in Southlake, Texas, pleaded guilty to one felony count for knowingly discharging oil and other harmful substances without a permit. U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance ordered the payment of $2.5 million to the United States Treasury and $600,000 to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Trust Fund.

Court documents revealed that XPLOR operated the MP 35 offshore facility from November 1997 until November 2011. During this period, the company was responsible for disposing of produced water containing pollutants by injecting it into disposal wells near the platform. The investigation uncovered repeated discharges from faulty lines and insufficiently capacity disposal wells, resulting in a total financial gain of approximately $1.55 million to XPLOR.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite emphasized the commitment to protecting natural resources: “Our Office will continue to pursue charges against individuals and corporations whose illegal conduct threatens our region’s natural resources and public health.”

Acting Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program, Daniel J. Pflaster, echoed the sentiment: “Developing domestic sources of energy must be done responsibly and safely.”

Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Peggy Hatch, concluded: “We will not tolerate any business, corporation or individual that bypasses state and federal laws for personal gain.” The investigation was conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division of the United States EPA (EPA-CID) and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ-CID).

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