This incident resulted in the release of approximately 4200 bbls of crude oil and impacted the Ash Coulee Creek near Belfield, North Dakota. PHMSA personnel and investigators were on site on 6 December 2016, and will continue to be on site during excavation of the damaged line and throughout the ongoing investigation.
The proposed CAO requires Belle Fourche Pipeline to take a series of corrective actions prior to restarting operation, including improving leak detection systems, enhancing patrols, and remediating any pipeline in unstable land areas.
PHMSA may amend the CAO to address any new information, and if the investigation determines the operator has violated any federal pipeline safety regulations, the agency may issue an enforcement action, levy civil penalties, and/or refer the case for criminal investigation.
