News

Oil-brine spill takes place in Westhope

By Scott Wagar

08/26/2014

For the third time this summer, there has been an oil and brine spill in Bottineau County which has brought out state officials to investigate and care for the clean-up.

According to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH), a spill took place early last week six miles southeast of Westhope where three barrels of oil and a small amount of brine were released into a slough.

The site, which is owned by Enduro Operating, has projected their employees were able to recover two barrels of oil through a vacuum truck. The company also placed absorbent booms around the spill to stop the oil and brine from more dispersal of the contamination.

The soil in the spill area will be removed and with approval by NDDoH any oil that is left on site will be burned off.
The spill occurred due to a broken pipe at the wellhead.
The NDDoH and the state’s Mineral Resource Department of Oil and Gas are present on the site to assist with the clean up and remediation that is taking place.

Individuals, with questions over the spill, can contact Kris Roberts of the NDDoH at (701) 328-5236 or (701) 391-0982.