South Black Bayou Commingling Facility No. 1 - Oil Extraction in Hackberry, Louisiana

South Black Bayou Commingling Facility No. 1 is an oil extraction facility situated in the coastal wetlands of Cameron Parish, Louisiana, approximately 15.5 miles west of Hackberry. The facility is operational and classified under NAICS 211120, which covers crude petroleum extraction. As a commingling facility, it likely serves as a gathering point for crude oil from multiple wells before transport to refineries or pipelines. The facility operates within the United States regulatory framework, which includes oversight by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act (Refinery MACT) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) for offshore operations, though this facility is onshore. Louisiana's Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) also enforces state-specific regulations. The facility's scale is typical for a commingling operation in the Gulf Coast region, which is a major hub for oil extraction and refining. Environmental considerations for this facility include its location in a coastal marsh ecosystem, which is sensitive to oil spills and habitat disruption. The facility's proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and the Calcasieu Ship Channel means that spill prevention and response plans are critical. Additionally, the facility's role in gathering crude oil contributes to the downstream supply chain for refineries along the Gulf Coast, supporting regional energy infrastructure.

The facility is located in the coastal wetlands of Cameron Parish, Louisiana, an ecologically sensitive area that supports diverse wildlife and serves as a buffer against storm surges. Oil extraction and commingling operations in such environments pose risks of spills and habitat degradation. The facility must comply with spill prevention, control, and countermeasure (SPCC) regulations under the Clean Water Act, as well as state-level coastal management programs. The proximity to the Gulf of Mexico also necessitates adherence to MARPOL Annex I standards for oil discharge prevention.