Best Spill Response Companies Operating in the Bakken Basin
The Bakken Basin, stretching across North Dakota, Montana, and parts of Canada, has become one of the most active shale oil and gas regions in North America. With such activity comes a crucial responsibility—managing environmental risks, particularly oilfield spills. Spill response companies play a vital role in ensuring safety, compliance, and rapid containment.
Whether it's a pipeline rupture, tank overflow, or transport incident, having access to responsive and experienced spill cleanup vendors is essential. This guide outlines the top spill response service providers operating in the Bakken and why they stand out for oilfield operators, EPCs, and environmental teams.
Why Spill Response Matters in the Bakken
With increased drilling and production comes an increased risk of fluid leaks and hydrocarbon releases. Regulatory frameworks in North Dakota and Montana require strict reporting and remediation compliance—often within hours of a spill. Companies that offer 24/7 dispatch, trained hazmat crews, and proper disposal methods are essential partners in mitigating downtime and environmental damage.
Spill response isn't just about vacuum trucks and skimmers—it's about field-tested readiness, real-time communication, and regional coverage. Here are the best in the business for the Bakken Basin.
1. HydroVac Industrial Services
Headquartered in Williston, ND, HydroVac offers rapid-response cleanup services for crude, produced water, and chemical spills. With a fleet of combo units and DOT-certified hazmat teams, they're equipped for both minor leaks and major incidents. Their team is well-versed in local EPA and NDDEQ compliance, making them a top choice for operators across Mountrail and Williams counties.
2. Clean Harbors
Clean Harbors operates several emergency response centers throughout North Dakota and Montana. Their mobile response units are outfitted for complex environmental incidents, including tank ruptures, pipeline breaks, and chemical transport accidents. With access to industrial chemists and regulatory advisors, they offer peace of mind for multi-site operators and EPCs.
3. Guardian Environmental Services
Guardian is known for its commitment to rapid mobilization and rural access. Serving remote pads and production sites, they bring vacuum trucks, mobile containment, and spill barrier systems to the field. They also offer site remediation services and soil testing to ensure full closure documentation post-incident.
4. Energy Waste Rentals
While known for its rental fleet, Energy Waste Rentals also provides emergency spill response and site remediation in the Bakken. With high-volume vac units, containment berms, and a team trained in EPA Region 8 standards, they’re a trusted partner for midstream and upstream operators alike.
5. Total Safety
With a broad safety services portfolio, Total Safety offers spill response with a heavy focus on HSE integration. Their teams combine containment, transport, and field risk assessments, ensuring safe and complete resolution. Their Williston-based crews are on-call for night and weekend response, a major advantage for time-critical cleanups.
Choosing the Right Spill Response Vendor
When selecting a spill response company, look for proximity, 24/7 availability, licensing, and disposal partnerships. Ask about their response time SLA, field equipment, and closure reporting. It’s also valuable to have vendors who integrate with your environmental compliance team or reporting systems.
OilServeMap makes vendor selection simple. Use filters by region, service type, and subcategory like “Spill Response” or “Site Remediation” to get a list of pre-qualified providers serving the Bakken. Contact emails, service descriptions, and GPS locations help you act fast when response time matters most.
Final Thoughts
The Bakken's demanding conditions require a proactive approach to spill management. From the hills of Divide County to the plains near Watford City, your operations deserve vendors that respond quickly, work safely, and help you stay compliant. Bookmark OilServeMap and explore spill response vendors you can trust.