ND saltwater pipeline leak may have reached creek

North Dakota's Department of Health says saltwater leaked by a pipeline in McKenzie County may have reached a nearby creek.

The department says pipeline owner Statoil's preliminary estimates put the leak's volume at 75 barrels. One barrel is 42 gallons.

They say Statoil believes the leak is less than a week old and that the company visually inspected the pipeline by air on July 18 and observed no leak.

The Department of Health says "a small amount" may have entered an oxbow of Timber Creek approximately five miles northwest of Arnegard.

Saltwater is a byproduct of oil production. It has a much higher salt content than seawater and can also contain oil residue. It is considered an environmental hazard by the state.

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