MARCH 6, 2015
TIOGA, N.D. (AP)
The North Dakota Department of Health says a ruptured
pipeline led to a 10,000-gallon oil spill in McKenzie County, 18 miles south of
Alexander.
The leak occurred after the pipeline owned by Belle Fourche
Pipeline Co. was struck by equipment Friday during excavation of the area about
18 miles south of Alexander.
Health department officials say the leak was "mostly
confined" to the excavated area and has not impacted any waterway.
Officials say the spill is not a threat to public health at
this time, just to the environment.
10,000 gallons of oil is not an insignificant spill.
The NDDoH and the U.S. Forest Service will be providing
oversight of the cleanup, which is underway.
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BRINE PIPELINE DAMAGED IN NORTH DAKOTA, LEAKED NEARLY 19K
GALLONS
MARCH 6, 2015
DIVIDE COUNTY, ND
North Dakota said a pipeline transporting wastewater from
oil and natural gas drilling was damaged and leaked nearly 19,000 gallons of
brine in Divide County.
According to the state Department of Health (DOH), the leak
occurred after the pipeline, which is owned by Continental Resources Inc., was
struck by equipment performing an excavation. The leak totaled approximately
450 barrels of brine.
"The brine spill was confined to the excavated area
near the pipeline, has not impacted any waterway and is not a threat to public
health at this time," said Karl Rockeman, spokesman for the DOH's
environmental health section. He said the incident happened 16 miles north of
Tioga, ND.
Rockeman told NGI Friday that the incident occurred at about
1:30 p.m. CST on March 3. He said the
DOH and the North Dakota Oil and Gas Division responded to the incident and
cleanup activities were under way.