Crews contain fluid spill at oil well site
Crews contain fluid spill at oil well site
Officials assure public no environmental impact noted
By MARVIN BAKER
EDITOR
An oil, natural gas and water spill eight miles northwest of New Town was said to be contained Monday afternoon.
Whiting Petroleum Corp. released a statement Monday morning that fluid was spilling into a lined pit after a Saturday rupture at the site that is sandwiched between N.D. Highway 1804 and the Missouri River.
Jack Ekstrom, a public affairs official with Whiting Petroleum in Denver, said a mechanical failure led to spillage but that it was diverted to a nearby pit.
Ron Ness of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, told the New Town News that the well was shut down after a valve near the wellhead failed, causing the leak.
