WATFORD CITY – A tank battery explosion and fire occurring Monday, Dec. 29, about 11 p.m., at a site about 15 miles east of Watford City, temporarily closed N.D. Highway 23.

Select Water Solutions LLC reported the explosion and fire at the Rink SWD 2 site to the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources’ Oil and Gas Division. The report stated 4,000 barrels of produced water was released onto the location from the fire on Dec. 29.

Produced water is a by-product of oil and gas development.

The explosion at the tank battery resulted in the closure of N.D. Highway 23 from Johnson’s Corner to mile marker 13, according information from the North Dakota Highway Patrol Tuesday morning, Dec. 30.

N.D. Highway Patrol said in its Tuesday morning information that emergency responders were on the scene, the explosion was contained to one tank and there was an ongoing risk of additional explosions involving the remaining four tanks.

Traffic in the area was temporarily rerouted as follows:

– Eastbound traffic from Watford City on Highway 23 was rerouted south on 114th Avenue Northwest, then east on Beavercreek Road and north on 110th Avenue Northwest to the Johnson’s Corner roundabout.

– Westbound traffic from Johnson’s Corner was rerouted south on 110th Avenue Northwest, then west on Beavercreek Road and north on 114th Avenue Northwest, returning traffic to Highway 23.

Motorists were advised to expect delays, avoid the area if possible and follow directions from emergency personnel.

As of late Tuesday afternoon, the highway remained closed, according to McKenzie County officials.

A N.D. Oil and Gas inspector has been to the location and will monitor any additional cleanup required, N.D. Oil and Gas Division officials said.