News

Oil and brine spill takes place in the Westhope area

By Scott Wagar

12/16/2014

There was an oil and saltwater spill near Westhope on Dec. 5, which left close to 250 barrels of contaminates on the ground, but stayed inside the oil company’s dike around its equipment. 

Petro Harvester Operating Company reported that 20 barrels of oil and 225 barrels of saltwater were released, contained and recovered at the Kuroki-Madison Unit central tank battery, which is six miles northwest of Westhope. 

The cause of the accident was due to internal corrosion to equipment.

In early August near Antler a similar accident took place which distributed five barrels of oil and 260 barrels of brine. The dike at this location did not contain the spill and spilled onto crop land rented by Robert Artz. 

A lengthy discussion took place over the dike size and a public meeting was held to discuss the issue. At the public meeting, the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources (NDDMR) stated that the dike size was correct according to the law, which states that a dike has to be able to sustain the largest tank on site plus one day’s production.

Although the law failed the Antler spill in August, the dike did hold the spill at the Westhope incident a week and a half ago.      

The NDDMR is in charge of investigating the scene of the Westhope spill that happened a week and a half ago to make sure the oil and brine are cleaned up and have not spread outside of the Kuroki-Madison Unit’s dike.