Out-of-Control Well Prompts Evacuation

WATFORD CITY, N.D. (AP) — Fifteen workers were evacuated as a precaution from the site of an out-of-control oil well in northwestern North Dakota.

McKenzie County Emergency Manager Jerry Samuelson tells The Bismarck Tribune no fire or explosion occurred at the Whiting Petroleum site five miles southwest of Watford City late Thursday afternoon. But he says oil and water blew a plume from the well until the company was able to divert the flow into nearby storage tanks.

State Health Department environmental geologist Kris Roberts says the volume of well fluids involved wasn't immediately known. He says an inspector was to be at the scene Friday.