A recent diesel spill in the Yukon River has reignited public concerns about Hilcorp’s plans to drill in Alaska’s remote Yukon Flats. Earlier this month, a Brice Inc. truck leaked around 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel in a parking lot near the river.
Brice, a native-owned construction company, has partnered with Hilcorp to stage equipment for upcoming drilling operations north of Fairbanks. The spill happened at Yukon River Camp, where the Dalton Highway crosses the river, a significant route for Alaska’s oil fields.
Alaska’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reports confirmed no fuel entered the Yukon River directly during the incident. Still, tribal leaders and environmental advocates pointed to the spill as proof of the risks industrial operations pose to the region.
DEC documents said 600 gallons of pooled diesel had to be vacuumed up by a separate truck when the leak occurred. A video obtained by Northern Journal showed workers wading through ankle-deep diesel at the scene while cleaning up the site.
Rhonda Pitka, chief of Beaver’s tribal government, said the incident validated local fears about oil industry safety in Native lands. Although Hilcorp did not operate leaking the truck, critics believe contractors reflect the oil company’s broader risk to the area.
Brice officials acknowledged the spill but emphasized that their employees acted quickly and complied with all environmental regulations afterward. Doyon LTD, the Native corporation owning the drilling land, confirmed Brice crews had cleared debris for Helicorp’s exploration efforts.
Opponents argue that Hilcorp’s Alaska history includes fines and regulatory violations, casting doubt on assurances about drilling project safety. This diesel spill surfaced days after the event through word of mouth, intensifying distrust among nearby river communities.
DEC officials named Brice the responsible party but said higher levels of DEC would decide enforcement actions. The incident left deep concerns among residents who depend on the Yukon River’s river’s salmon and pristine environment for their livelihood.
