Enbridge Energy has reported that one of its crews accidentally released drilling fluid into the Tongue River in Pembina County, the North Dakota Department of Health said Friday.
The department learned of the spill of about 12 barrels Thursday during a boring operation near Bathgate. Enbridge has a pipeline from Canada running through the area on its way to Duluth.
Karl Rockeman, a health-department spokesman, said the drilling fluid consists of water and bentonite clay, which is also used in cat litter. He said he doesn’t expect much long-lasting impact.
Crews have deployed a turbidity curtain to contain the muddy liquid and will work to clean up the spill, the health department said.
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Department officials will check later to see that the cleanup is completed, Rockeman said. He said it’s likely that the drilling fluid will settle at the bottom of the river.
Bathgate is about 80 miles by road from Grand Forks.
