BISMARCK, N.D., Oct. 27 (UPI) -- A small amount of oil spilled at Dunn County well site, a location at the heart of the North Dakota shale oil boom, the state Department of Health reports.
The North Dakota Department of Health said it was notified by Newfield Production Co. of an oil spill at a well in western Dunn Country. Most of the 20 barrels of oil spilled were recovered, though state responders were on the site to monitor the situation.
The spill was discovered during the weekend. It's at least the third spill reported in North Dakota so far this month.
An oil well leaked out of control for at least three straight days in the heart of the state's shale oil fields in mid-October. Light sheen was reported on the White Earth River, north of the greater Missouri River, after Oasis Petroleum reported at least 1,500 barrels of oil leaked from one of its wells.
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"[Containment] booms were placed across the river to help keep the spill material from migrating downstream," the Department of Health said.
No navigable waters were threatened by the Newfield well incident.
In May, Oasis Petroleum reported its fourth release of brine, known also as produced water, in the state this year. Brine is characterized by the federal Environmental Protection Agency as potentially "very damaging" to the environment and public health.
About 300 barrels of oil were spilled Oct. 16 in nearby Williams County at a site operated by Murex Petroleum. About 60 barrels have been recovered so far.
North Dakota is the No. 2 oil producer in the nation, behind Texas.
