BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A state health official told North Dakota lawmakers that cleanup of massive oil spill in northwestern North Dakota will take at least two more years.
The Tesoro Corp. pipeline rupture discovered in September sent more than 20,000 barrels of crude spewing across a North Dakota wheat field. The spill fouled an area about the size of seven football fields and is one of the largest onshore spills in U.S. history
State Environmental Health Chief Dave Glatt told the 12-member Energy Development and Transmission Committee on Tuesday that about 6,000 barrels of oil have been recovered. He says Tesoro has excavated soil at depths of more than 30 feet.
Glatt says the remainder may have to be baked out of the soil, and the soil renewed and replaced.
