Oil well leak cleaned up in southeast Oklahoma City

Vandalism may be the cause of an oil leak that kept firefighters and environmental crews busy at a well site late Wednesday in southeast Oklahoma City, authorities reported.

Firefighters found oil leaking from an open valve at a well site near S Byers and SE 51 that spilled into streets and onto property Wednesday night.

Oklahoma Corporation Commission spokesman Matt Skinner said Thursday crews worked overnight to clean up Wednesday night's oil spill. Skinner said authorities mopped up 25 barrels of standing oil and spread biodegradable material to soak up the rest.

Skinner said the spill caused no danger to area drinking water. The cause of the spill was an open valve, he said.

The largest amount of oil spilled was on Byers and Stiles avenues. The oil was spread throughout the area by vehicles that drove through it, said fire Capt. David Macy.

The well is owned by White Operating Co. of Oklahoma City. White Operating President Lloyd White said he suspects vandals are responsible for the spill.

White said two valves were opened to cause the spill, including one behind a locked fence. He also said there is evidence someone improperly entered the fenced-in area.

Firefighters and a hazardous materials crew built temporary dams with dirt to slow the progress of the spill. Representatives from the state Department of Environmental Quality and city street crews assisted.