Doyon 26 rig tipping over on January 23, 2026, during transport on a gravel road near Nuiqsut. The 10-million-pound structure’s collapse triggered a diesel spill and temporarily blocked access for responders.
By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | January 2026
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The massive Doyon 26 drilling rig remains in a state of instability days after it toppled while being moved on Alaska’s North Slope, according to official government and company reports. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and ConocoPhillips Alaska have provided the most recent verified information on the ongoing response.
Incident and Immediate Response
The Doyon Drilling Rig 26 toppled over at about 4:40 p.m. on January 23, 2026 while being transported on a gravel road about 6.5 miles northwest of Nuiqsut, DEC’s official “WNS Doyon 26 Move Incident” situation report states. The rig was part of operations for ConocoPhillips Alaska and is owned by Doyon Drilling, Inc. Evidence shows that diesel fuel spilled to the tundra, and further assessments are underway. The cause of the accident is not yet known and will be investigated once it is safe to access the site.
ConocoPhillips Alaska and Doyon Drilling reported that all personnel were accounted for and no serious injuries occurred. Two people aboard the rig and six initial responders were treated at nearby clinics and released, the companies confirmed in a situation update posted on the ConocoPhillips Alaska newsroom. Traffic has resumed in the area, and there is no threat to local infrastructure or communities.
Safety and Environmental Assessment
State responders confirmed there was evidence of a diesel spill on the tundra. According to DEC’s spill report, approximately 4,000 gallons of diesel were estimated to be on board at the time of the incident. The rig’s tanks also held 1,930 gallons of hydraulic oil and 85 gallons of ethylene glycol prior to the tip-over, as documented in the DEC spill plan. Responders have set up a safety perimeter due to hazards posed by large, unstable sections of the rig. DEC says it is working to determine where contamination may have spread and to plan appropriate containment and recovery actions.
Kimberly Maher, Northern Region On-Scene Coordinator for DEC, said in a published interview that while responders have seen traces of diesel on the tundra, further assessment is needed to define the full extent of contamination and design mitigation tactics.
Unified Command and Response Structure
According to the ConocoPhillips Alaska newsroom, Doyon Drilling is leading response and recovery efforts under a Unified Command structure that includes representatives from the State of Alaska, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the North Slope Borough. The unified command approach has moved from an initial emergency response phase to an environmental impact assessment and mitigation effort.
Federal involvement in assessing risk to waters and sensitive resources has also begun. A NOAA Incident News summary, drawing on contact from the EPA, confirms the rig exposed resources in the area and that there is a potential release of diesel, ethylene glycol, and hydraulic fluid. The EPA is assisting in evaluating proximity to waters of the United States and determining any requirements under the Endangered Species Act.
Regional Government Statement
The North Slope Borough issued a press release on January 23 confirming the rig incident occurred on a gravel road near Nuiqsut at about 4:45 p.m. Borough officials stated all personnel were accounted for and no serious injuries were reported. The release noted that there was no damage to local infrastructure nor impact to pipelines or fuel transportation. It said responders remained on scene and that coordination with appropriate agencies was underway to secure the area and evaluate impacts.
Ongoing Situation
Officials have not yet released findings on what caused Doyon 26 to tip over. The DEC situation report states investigation will begin when it is safe to access the site. Recovery and cleanup planning are continuing under the unified command, but stability concerns remain a limiting factor for direct access to the collapsed rig modules.
Official Records:
- Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. WNS Doyon 26 Move Incident response page and initial situation report documenting the rig tip over, spill estimates, safety hazards, and response status.
- ConocoPhillips Alaska. Official newsroom statements confirming the incident, treated and released personnel, transition to environmental assessment, and continuation of winter drilling operations using Doyon 142.
- NOAA Incident News and EPA reporting. Federal incident record documenting potential releases of diesel, hydraulic oil, and ethylene glycol and federal environmental oversight.
- North Slope Borough. Official press release confirming the location near Nuiqsut, response coordination, and no immediate impact to community infrastructure.
