ZAHL — An equipment failure/malfunction caused the release of 21,000 gallons of produced water at a site about seven miles north of Zahl on Monday.

The North Dakota Oil and Gas Division was notified on Tuesday by Prima Exploration Inc. of the incident at the Sioux Trail 1 SWD disposal well location. The product was contained on-site and cleanup is underway. At the time of reporting the 21,000 gallons of produced water had been recovered.

A state inspector has been to the location and will monitor any additional cleanup required.

Federal and state laws require federal and/or state agencies be notified in the event of accidental spillage of any materials that may pollute water, air or soil.