North Dakota oil spill to take two years to clean up

An oil spill that occurred in September last year could take another two years to clean up, according to officials. The leak was discovered in a wheat field in North Dakota, US, covering around 7.3 acres of land. It was caused when a rupture occurred in a Tesoro Corporation pipeline, resulting in over 20,000 barrels of crude oil spewing over farmland. It is one of the largest spills in the state's history.

State lawmakers were told on Tuesday (February 11th) that the clean-up of the area, which has already been ongoing since the discovery of the leak, will likely take a further two years. According to David Glatt, head of the environmental section of the North Dakota Health Department, the oil has contaminated earth around 30 feet down from the surface. 

It is hoped that the oil will not affect the water table, which is around 150 feet down. Mr Glatt has said that there seems to be a significant amount of earth between the water table and the contaminated soil to avoid this from happening. 

Of approximately 20,600 barrels of crude, around 6,000 have been recovered by Tesoro. The company has made use of a security fence, French drains and cut-off walls in an attempt to contain the spill and stop the oil migrating any further and contaminating more land. 

Plans have been submitted, which, if approved, will see the affected earth removed from the site, treated and then replaced before undergoing processes to rejuvenate it so it is once again suitable for the growing of crops. If the plans are approved, the entire process will likely take at least two years.

Tesoro will aim to remove earth from around 50 feet down in order to ensure that all possible contaminated soil undergoes proper treatment. It is hoped that the submitted plans will ensure that the vast majority of the contamination is dealt with.

The ruptured pipeline was, due to its pressure and size, under the minimum threshold that meant it was subject to testing and monitoring requirements. It falls under the jurisdiction of the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.