Crews work to clean up an oil spill northeast of Cushing in Payne County.
According to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, on July 8, the Osage pipeline owned by Holly Energy Partners ruptured, releasing approximately 1,000 barrels of crude oil into Skull Creek. They say the pipeline was repaired ten days late and is back in service with 20% less pressure. A massive EPA-led cleanup is now underway.
The EPA says the spill affected about 1.5 miles from the shoreline of the creek, which is a tributary of the Cimarron River. Cleanup crews are using booms and weirs to contain the spill, and water from the Cimarron River is being used to aid in the recovery process.