The response action underway by the RP follows a reported 70,000 barrel release of produced water including oil from a water disposal 4 inch pipeline. The release impacted a small creek (Blacktail Ck) a tributary to the Little Muddy River north of Williston, ND. Reportedly the potential line break was discovered on January 6, 2015, and the line was shut-down. No volume of discharge was reported in the original NRC report on January 7th.
Produced water (brine) recovery was initiated within days following the shutdown. Recovery of produced water (brine, oil and surface and ground water) have been ongoing since the incident.
Oil is present on the surface water and additional containment and oil recovery measures are underway as of 1/23/15. It is uncertain as to what volume of oil may be present and discharging from the subsurface /alluvial system.
