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All spills need to be remediated, regardless of the material spilled. Below are some commonly spilled materials and remediation methods used for them.

The full technical requirements for each material are in the Guidelines for the Assessment and Remediation of Oilfield Releases   .

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Bentonite (Drilling Mud)

The primary concern for drilling mud spills is preventing elevated sediment loads in streams and other water sources. Silt fences and straw wattles can be used to stop further spread of bentonite and prevent introduction or additional impact to a waterway. Spilled bentonite can then be removed using a vacuum truck. Include details and an SDS of any drilling mud additives used when reporting.

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Crude Oil

Crude oil is unrefined liquid petroleum found accumulated in some porous rock formations and often extracted and refined for burning or processing into a variety of products. Remediation options for crude oil spills can be found at Oilfield Remediation Options.

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Diesel and Gasoline

Diesel and gasoline are hydrocarbon based and can be treated like crude oil for the purposes of remediation.

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Fertilizer, Herbicides, and Pesticides

Include an SDS of the material when reporting. Many small or dilute fertilizer, herbicide, or pesticide spills can be naturally attenuated. For large or higher concentration spills, contaminated soil or water may need to be removed. Action levels will be based on the Standards of Quality for Waters of the State   .

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Freshwater

Freshwater spills originating from the oilfield or other industrial sources must be confirmed to be freshwater through laboratory testing. Waters with additives, salts, or other components above the NDDEQ water quality standards are not considered freshwater. NDDEQ water quality standards can be found in N.D.A.C. ch. 33.1-16-02.1. A laboratory sample of the water spilled should be collected from the source if available and tested for chloride and any other contaminants of concern. If a water sample cannot be collected, a soil sample from the spill area should be collected.

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Hydraulic Oil

Hydraulic oil is hydrocarbon based and can be treated like crude oil for the purpose of remediation.

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Liquefied Natural Gases (LPG, LNG, Propane, Butane, etc.)

Due to the highly evaporative nature of most constituents in liquefied gases, natural attenuation is an option for most spill sites. In the case of small or moderate amounts of saturated soils or soil at depth, soils may be excavated, placed on an impermeable barrier nearby, and occasionally turned or raked until soil sample results from the pile are within NDDEQ action levels. Liquefied natural gas spills should be sampled for GRO or BTEX.

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Oilfield-Related Fires

In the event of a fire emergency, call 9-1-1 and follow established fire safety procedures. Report any oilfield facility fire through the Unified Spill Reporting System at www.spill.nd.gov as required by N.D.A.C. § 43-02-03-30.

All oilfield-related fires are assumed to have an associated spill. In the event of a fire that extends beyond a well pad or other oilfield facility, observe the burned area for evidence of spilled contaminants and document possible spill-impacted locations. The extent of the burned area is to be documented with photographs, mapped GPS coordinates, or aerial imagery as necessary. The impacted area should be monitored until normal vegetation has returned.

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Saltwater (Produced Water, Brine, Source Water, Formation Water, etc.)

Saltwater is any water that contains sodium chloride greater than NDDEQ action levels and often originates from formations located deep underground. Produced water is a type of saltwater recovered as a byproduct of oil and gas extraction operations. Remediation options for saltwater spills can be found at Oilfield Remediation Options.

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Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM)

Materials containing Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM) must be properly transported and disposed of at a special waste disposal facility that accepts them. Common TENORM containing materials include:

• Scale from oil production and processing equipment (e.g., well pad tank battery bottoms, saltwater pipes)
• Tank sludge
• Used filter socks or cartridges
• Contaminated soils or equipment

TENORM transportation and disposal information can be found at NDDEQ — TENORM   . For additional information on radioactive material handling, contact the Division of Waste Management or refer to Section 13: Resources and Contact Information in the guidelines   .

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Used Motor Oil

Used motor oils may be considered hazardous waste. For more information on hazardous waste disposal, contact the Division of Waste Management or refer to Section 13: Resources and Contact Information in the guidelines   .

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Uncommon Materials

Spills of less common materials must also be reported and remediated. For spills of other materials, include an SDS of the spilled material when reporting. Action levels for uncommon materials will be based on the Standards of Quality for Waters of the State   .

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