2025-04-10T17:25:28.000Z

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BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) A substantial crude oil spill has raised concerns and prompted urgent cleanup operations on North Dakota farmland. The incident occurred this past Tuesday when an underground pipeline owned by South Bow experienced a leak near Fort Ransom, approximately 60 miles (97 kilometers) southwest of Fargo. As of Thursday, the company reported that workers have successfully recovered thousands of gallons of oil, though the timeline for resuming oil flow to refineries remains uncertain.

The gravity of the situation is evident as the spill has released an estimated 3,500 barrels, amounting to approximately 147,000 gallons of crude oil into the agricultural land. Thus far, recovery efforts have managed to collect around 700 barrels, which translates to roughly 29,400 gallons. In response to this environmental crisis, over 200 workers have been mobilized to the site, engaging in a coordinated cleanup and investigation process.

As the situation unfolds, South Bow has indicated that there is no established timeline for restarting the operation of the extensive 2,689-mile (4,327 kilometers) pipeline, which stretches all the way from Alberta, Canada, to refineries located in Illinois, Oklahoma, and Texas. The company has stressed that any decision to resume service will await the necessary approvals from regulators, reflecting a commitment to safety and compliance with federal regulations.

In light of the spill, South Bow is collaborating closely with the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, as well as the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, to ensure thorough oversight of the cleanup efforts. They have also noted that continuous monitoring of air quality in the vicinity has not indicated any immediate health concerns for the public.

Local landowner Myron Hammer, whose farmland has been affected by this incident, described the scene at the spill site as quite busy. Workers are bringing in mats to facilitate access for cleanup equipment, Hammer emphasized. He added that a significant amount of machinery is being assembled to effectively tackle the situation. Furthermore, there are traffic checkpoints established in the area, and workers have been transporting gravel to maintain the integrity of the roads.

Although there is a cluster of homes nearby, mostly inhabited by retirees and individuals employed in adjacent towns, Hammer reassured that the spill site is not located in a densely populated area. The community is holding its breath as the cleanup efforts continue, hoping for a swift resolution to this troublesome incident.