CBC 86 #1 Tank Battery - Bayou Cholpe Field: Oil Extraction Facility in Erwinville, Louisiana

CBC 86 #1 Tank Battery - Bayou Cholpe Field is an operational oil extraction facility located approximately 3 miles southeast of Erwinville, Louisiana, in West Baton Rouge Parish. The facility operates as a tank battery, a key component in upstream oil infrastructure for gathering, storing, and transferring crude oil from production wells in the Bayou Cholpe Field. As part of the United States' extensive oil extraction network, this facility contributes to the region's hydrocarbon production. The facility operates under the regulatory oversight of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Oil extraction facilities in Louisiana are subject to state and federal regulations, including the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, which govern emissions, wastewater discharge, and spill prevention. Tank batteries typically include separators, storage tanks, and piping to handle produced fluids, with safety systems to prevent releases. The Bayou Cholpe Field is part of Louisiana's mature oil-producing region, with infrastructure supporting ongoing extraction from conventional reservoirs. The facility's location in a rural area near the Mississippi River corridor highlights the intersection of energy production and sensitive aquatic ecosystems. Proper management of produced water and hydrocarbon storage is critical to minimizing environmental impact in this flood-prone region.

The facility is situated in the Mississippi River Delta region, characterized by wetlands, bayous, and floodplains. Oil extraction operations in this area face risks of spills and leaks that could impact sensitive aquatic habitats and water quality. Regulatory frameworks such as the EPA's Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule and Louisiana's oilfield waste management requirements aim to mitigate these risks. The proximity to the Bayou Cholpe waterway necessitates careful monitoring of produced water disposal and tank integrity to prevent contamination.