ND oil regulators to add 3 pipeline inspectors

Laying pipe near Watford City, N.D.
The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources is adding more inspectors to deal with oil, gas and waste gathering lines. Here, a construction worker sandblasts a section of pipe outside Watford City, N.D., in 2013.
Andrew Burton / Getty Images

The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources says it's adding three new pipeline inspector positions.

• More: Photos: Oil boom changes the face of North Dakota
• Related: ND pipeline leaks about 1M gallons of saltwater

Department of Mineral Resources spokeswoman Alison Ritter says the inspectors will deal with oil, gas and waste gathering lines.

Gathering lines are pipelines that transport oil, gas and saltwater between well locations or to a central collection point.

Ritter says the pipeline inspectors will mostly be focused on making sure new pipeline installations follow regulations. New rules that went into effect in April require gathering pipeline installation to not interfere with agriculture and dictate pipeline trenches to be filled in ways that do not damage the pipelines.

The new inspectors will bring the total number of pipeline inspectors at the department to 35.

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