Bismarck, N.D. – Murex Petroleum Corporation has notified the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality of a crude oil spill caused by a flare pit overflow in Billings County. The spill occurred approximately 14 miles southeast of Grassy Butte on Friday, March 1.

Murex estimates 180 barrels (7,560 gallons) of oil released from the flare, 75 barrels (3,150 gallons) of which approximately impacted pastureland.

Clean-up of the spill has begun. Personnel from Environmental Quality are inspecting the site and will continue to monitor the investigation and remediation. Federal and state laws require that operators report the spillage of any materials that may pollute water, air or soil. Visit spill.nd.gov for more information about North Dakota’s Unified Spill Reporting System notifications and the public access tool.