Crude oil pipeline in south Arkansas leaking, EPA says oil going into Ouachita

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Federal officials said a break in a crude oil pipeline in southern Arkansas is draining into a series of creeks that feed into the Ouachita River.

The National Response Center notified the Environment Protection Agency of the spill on Saturday afternoon, saying that the leak from an underground line at the Martin Operating Partners Facility near Smackover had discharged an estimated 2,000 barrels worth of crude oil.

Officials report that the leak is about 110 feet from a manifold, sending the oil leaking over land and into a drainage that feeds into Holmes Creek. That waterway connects to Smackover Creek, which in turn feeds into the Ouachita River.

EPA officials reported that the spill is being consider as a “major discharge” under the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan.

Teams with the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, Arkansas Dept of Emergency Management and Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission are also responding to the spill.

The EPA is the lead agency since the spill is located in the agency’s are of responsibility, and an on-scene coordinator from the Dallas office has conducted a preliminary assessment.