Commission Suspects Vandalism In Rash Of Creek County Oil Leaks

The Corporation Commission says there have been six oil leaks in Creek County in the last month, all on equipment belonging to the same company.

The commission thinks it's a case of vandalism. Whatever the cause, it's created quite the headache for Creek County land owners.

Brian Swift has had a rough couple of weeks, all due to oil.

"Yeah, we had a leak the second week of February, and about the time it was supposed to be cleaned up, the second leak was discovered," Swift said.

The oil made its way into a pond, an important source of water for Swift's horses.

"It's tough. With the drought we've had, every little bit of water that we can hold back - and this is a natural pond, it's good for our animals - and just having the pollution is an issue," Swift said.

Swift isn't the only landowner experiencing these problems.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission tells News On 6 there have been six leaks in the last 35 days in Creek County, all on oil leases owned by The Calvert Company, out of Oklahoma City.

While the commission won't go into detail, they say they found equipment that had clearly been tampered with.

They've turned the case over to the Creek County Sheriff's Office to investigate.

Swift said last summer's wildfires destroyed a lot of fences in Creek County, many of which protected oil equipment, so he's not surprised that someone would have access to the machinery, but he is incredibly frustrated.

"Absolutely ridiculous that there are people out here willing to damage other people's property and cause this kind of destruction throughout, and the pollution that is involved. It costs everybody in their pocketbook, one way or another," Swift said.

The Corporation Commission says Calvert has plans to make improvements around its equipment to prevent this from happening again. They say it's difficult to know how much oil leaked, but to have six leaks in 35 days is highly unusual.