Oil Well Out Of Control In ND; Workers Try To Plug It With Mud
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Crews are attempting to plug an out-of-control oil well in western North Dakota by pumping a slurry of mud and water into it.
State environmental scientist Bill Suess says the well owned by Oasis Petroleum has been spewing oil and saltwater since Saturday night. Suess said workers were attempting to cap the well near White Earth on Tuesday morning.
Regulators say a light sheen was seen on the White Earth River, about 850 feet from the well. Absorbent booms have been placed across the river.
Officials say the blowout was likely caused by the hydraulic fracturing of another nearby well that's also owned by Oasis.
Suess says 1,760 barrels of oil and 2,000 barrels of saltwater had been recovered as of Sunday night. A barrel is 42 gallons.
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