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Pipeline leaks crude oil near Staples
Senior Reporter An oil pipeline spilled at least 210,000 gallons of crude oil in Villard Township between Staples and Motley.
"The crews are still working on the cleanup right now and will be working pretty much around the clock until it is cleaned up," said Patty Dunn, spokeswoman for Koch Pipeline Co., which is based in Wichita, Kan. Dunn was reached Saturday morning in St. Paul.
Officials from state and federal pipeline safety agencies worked to contain the spill, which was discovered about 6:30 a.m. Friday.
Dunn said the leak was discovered from a change in the pipeline pressure.
"There is no concern with the river or any other surface waters," said Steve Mikkelson, information officer with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in Baxter. Saturday Mikkelson said the best estimate is that the cleanup will be completed early this week.
One house, about 50 yards from the spill, was evacuated with the resident put up in a hotel near Staples. The leak occurred about three miles southeast of Staples.
Environmentally, Mikkelson said the main concern is from soil contamination with no surface waters in the area an no known ground water problems. Kristine Chapin with the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety said there was no sign the oil has reached nearby waterways.
"The environmental concerns are a lot less than they sure could have been," Mikkelson said.
A trench dug at the scene for pipeline maintenance contained a lot of the oil spill, Mikkelson said. Oil overflowed from the trench - about 20 feet by 150 feet and 12 feet deep - spilling into a nearby wooded area. Mikkelson said the additional soil contamination beyond the trench covers another 80 feet by 20 feet. The contaminated soil will be removed and replaced, Mikkelson said.
As for a cause, Mikkelson said the pipeline crew was doing maintenance at the scene and put equipment in place intended to stop the flow of oil and during the night and officials think the equipment failed somehow.
"That's all I heard for a cause so far," Mikkelson said.
As it stands, Mikkelson said there weren't any immediate health concerns.
"From the MPCA perspective it appeared as though the company acted just how they should have during this kind of emergency," Mikkelson said. "They did a good job in their response and cleanup efforts."
The Todd County Sheriff's Department assisted with traffic control at the scene. The Star Tribune of Minneapolis reported a 16-inch line that connects a pumping station with the Flint Hills refinery in Rosemount was shut down immediately.
This story contains information from the Associated Press.
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