Doyon 26 Oil Rig Topple; Alpine, Nuiqsut, Alaska

Alpine, Nuiqsut, AK, USA | 2026-Jan-24

Initial Notification: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) regarding the toppling of the self-propelled drilling rig Doyon 26 on the Alaska North Slope. The incident occurred near the Alpine Field, located north of the village of Nuiqsut, Alaska. (Doyon 26, which weighs nearly 10 million pounds, is the largest mobile land drilling rig in North America.) The rig left the road and tipped over on its side while in transit. The cause is being investigated. There is a potential release of diesel (4,000 gallons), ethylene glycol and hydraulic fluid to the tundra. The pipeline was not impacted and there were no serious injuries. The EPA requested assistance determining the incident's proximity to waters of the United States (WOTUS), resources at risk, and Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation.