Updated at: 12/08/2009 2:03 PM | KSAX.com
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Pipeline Dumps Crude Oil in Rural Staples

STAPLES, MN ----- The MN Office of Pipeline Safety has confirmed that as of 6 a.m. this morning, nearly 210,000 gallons of crude oil have been spilled from the Koch Pipeline near Staples, MN.

Representatives from the Koch Oil Company, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety are currently on-site cleaning up the spill.

According to MOPS, pipeline workers had been repairing sections of the 16" pipe in a rural area of Todd County 2 miles south of Staples, near Philbrook, MN when the accident occured.

MPCA Information Officer Steve Mikkelson noted that equipment installed to stop the flow of oil and allow work on the pipeline actually caused the leak, and that it also helped contain the spill.

"The size of the oil spill is quite significant," Mikkelson said. "But in this particular case it was a real fortunate situation because due to the maintenance work they had excavated a large trench and the oil basically filled it up."

According to Mikkelson, the oil-filled trench measure 20 feet wide by 150 feet long and 12 feet deep, and was overflowing into a wooded area when the pipeline's maintenance crew reached the site at 6 a.m.

Mikkelson also said no area surface area waters had been contaminated and only one home had to be evacuated due to the spill.

The pipeline in question runs from the Clearbrook Pumping Station to the Flint Hills Refinery near Inver Grove Heights.

To see follow-up story, click the following link:

Family Reacts to Oil Spill Close to Home

Written for the web by Matt Standal

mstandal@ksax.com