70-foot wastewater geyser reflects New Mexico’s latest oilfield challenge

A 70-foot geyser of toxic oilfield wastewater spewed from an NGL Energy Partners site in New Mexico after a one-inch nipple broke on a high-pressure water injection line, releasing 40 barrels of produced water into a drainage ditch. Jackie Onsurez, an engineer and former lieutenant governor candidate, alerted authorities and observed the spill, which was contained by the fire department and NGL representatives.