Suspected oil along Yellowstone River investigated; tests near spill site come back clean

May 16, 2012

BILLINGS, Mont. — Montana officials said Wednesday they are investigating several sites with suspected oil left over from an Exxon Mobil pipeline break last year, but recent testing shows one such site just downstream of the spill to be crude-free.

The July 1 accident spilled an estimated 1,500 barrels of crude, or 63,000 gallons, into the Yellowstone River near Laurel.

In recent weeks, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks workers have found sheens or other evidence of oil at several sites downstream of the spill, said agency spokesman Bob Gibson.

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