some flowlines are left unsupported for long expanses. Newer flowlines are 

 buried further back from the pass bank and slant gently downward below the 

 canal bottom. The flowlines converge at production sites, gas lines going to 

 compressors, and oil flowlines going to separators. 



There are numerous oil and gas pipelines crossing the refuge, including 

 10-cm (4-inch), 15-cm (6-inch), 17-cm (6.6-inch), two 20-cm (8-inch), 31-cm 

 (12-inch), 41 -cm (16-inch), and 61 -cm (24-inch) pipelines. Many of these 

 pipelines lead from offshore and follow the Mississippi delta to eventually 

 lead into the midwestern U.S. 



The USFWS has generally required that the push method be used to construct 

 these lines. In one recent example calling for the flotation method, the 

 USFWS denied permission for placement unless the plan was modified for the 

 push method. 



Spills and cleanup. With the large amount of oil and gas development, 

 the Delta Refuge experiences an average of two minor spills per month (Gusey 

 and Maturgo, 1972). Most of the spills are quite small, no more than several 

 barrels. They result from leaks, faulty valves, or accidents when loading or 

 unloading. Occasionally larger spills occur, particularly with malfunctioning 

 production equipment. In the past, burning pits have overflowed, spilling oil 

 over several acres of marsh. Valves may malfunction. The companies are eager 

 to cooperate in cleaning up a spill. They provide the manpower and equipment 

 and clean the area to the manager's satisfaction. Cleanup operations for a 

 spill involve isolating the oil with floating booms and sweeping the surface 

 with vacuum apparatus. After surface oil was cleaned, workers entered the 

 marsh and cut down all oiled vegetation. The vegetation was removed to a pass 

 bank and burned. The area affected by the oil was no larger than 1 ha (2.5 

 acres), yet the crew of 6 to 8 men worked on its cleanup for 2 weeks. 



Site shutdown and restoration. The Delta Refuge is an area of intense 

 oil and gas activity. Though production has taken place on the refuge since 

 1941, wells are still being drilled. Relatively few restorative measures have 

 been made in the area. Some permits, specifically for burning pits and pipe- 

 lines, have required restoration of pass banks to original configurations. As 

 a result, some old flotation canals have been plugged, and pass banks breached 

 by recent pipeline construction have been reinforced. However, since continued 

 drilling and production of wells on the refuge requires continual use of 

 canals by boats, few access canals and well site locations have been closed 

 off, and none has been filled in with old spoil material. 



Sabine National Wildlife Refuge 



The Sabine NWR was acquired in 1937 by judicial decree. Mineral rights 

 for much of the refuge land, however, were owned by Texaco, purchased from the 



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