MARMARTH, N.D. — Approximately 3,000 barrels, or 126,000 gallons, of water often used in oil production spilled near Marmarth on Monday, April 19, according to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality.
The agency says the spill came from a pipeline leak likely caused by external corrosion. The owner of the pipeline is Delaware corporation Denbury Onshore LLC.
Marmarth is about 100 miles southwest of Dickinson on the far western edge of the state.
The water that leaked from the pipeline was source water, which is higher in dissolved minerals than freshwater, according to the Department of Environmental Quality. Source water is lower in chlorides than produced water, which is created through oil and gas extraction.
The Department of Environmental Quality said its personnel are inspecting the spill site and are also conducting an investigation.
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Readers can reach Forum reporter Michelle Griffith, a Report for America corps member, at mgriffith@forumcomm.com.
