PHMSA 38-16
Wednesday, December 21, 2016

PHMSA Issues Corrective Action Order to Belle Fourche Pipeline Following Early December Leak. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) today issued a Corrective Action Order (CAO) directing Belle Fourche Pipeline Company’s Bicentennial Pipeline System to take corrective actions to protect the public, property, and the environment following a crude oil spill discovered on December 5, 2016. This incident resulted in the release of approximately 4,200 barrels of crude oil and impacted the Ash Coulee Creek near Belfield, North Dakota. PHMSA personnel and investigators were on site on December 6th, 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.