Oil spills into South Platte River

More than 5,250 gallons of crude oil has leaked into the flood-swollen South Platte River in Colorado, after spilling from two tank batteries.

The incident occurred south of Milliken, with Anadarko Petroleum later reporting a leak from a damaged tank to the Colorado Department of Natural Resources.

A quick response was carried out by state officials, who have deployed industry crews to place absorbent booms at the centre of the spillage, where the St Vrain River flows into the South Platte.

The Denver Post reported that almost 1,900 oil and gas wells in flooded areas of Colorado have been closed, with 600 inspectors investigating and repairing sites.

The Colorado Oil and Gas Association explained that crews are conducting both aerial and ground surveillance, as well as identifying and determining the locations of potential impairments.

So far, Anadarko has shut around ten per cent of its operations, which comprises 250 tank batteries and 670 wells.

"To date, we are aware of two tank batteries that were damaged by flood waters, and have associated light-oil releases. The releases occurred in flood waters associated with the South Platte River and the St Vrain River, and we have reported them to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the National Response Center, the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment," Anadarko said in a statement.

"We are actively working under the oversight of these agencies to contain and clean up the releases to the greatest extent possible. We will continue to provide additional information as appropriate."

State natural resources spokesman Todd Hartman revealed that officials have yet to fully determine how the incident happened, but noted that it is the first specific incident where there is a clear indication of the problem.

Analysts said the event exemplifies the risks associated with drilling and fracking in floodplains, and is an indication that the oil and gas industry must do more to protect public health.