N.D. Health Department says Billings County oil spill was larger than estimated

The North Dakota Department of Health says an oil spill that was discovered in Billings County last December was larger than originally estimated.

The oil gathering line operated by Belle Fourche Pipeline leaked more than 12,000 barrels of oil, instead of the early figure of 4,200 barrels.

The site is about 16 miles northwest of Belfield, N.D.

About one-third of the oil has been recovered through skimming operations.

Burning has removed some of the oil from Ash Coulee Creek.

The Department of Health and the North Dakota Oil and Gas Division continue to investigate the cause of the incident.