On Thursday, February 9, 2017 EPA deployed on-scene coordinator Joni Sandoval to a flow line oil spill near Belfield, North Dakota, after a notification. This site is located in a watershed several miles to the south of the Ash Coulee Creek oil spill. The spill is along an unnamed creek, which feeds into Franks Creek approximately 0.4 river miles downstream. Franks Creek is approximately 2.1 miles upstream of the Little Missouri River. A response team from White Rock Oil & Gas has been conducting a cleanup since approximately January 23. EPA OSC Sandoval will coordinate environmental assessments and response activities with local officials and the U.S Forest Service.
The site is broken up into seven divisions, spanning 2.5 to 3 river miles, with the release site being Division 1. Removal work by White Rock Oil & Gas’s contractor has been ongoing at several locations, but most significantly half mile below the spill site. Downstream mitigation measures including small earthen dams to prevent further migration of water and contamination have been constructed. Warm water flushing will be used to rinse oil off the creek banks. This oil will then be suctioned into vacuum trucks. Warm water flushing will be used to flush oil off the creek banks and suctioned up by a vacuum truck. The estimated release stands at 20 barrels oil and 280 barrels brine.
