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Small oil leak from Enbridge pipeline
Cause of leak under investigation

Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, May 12, 2011

PEHDZEH KI/WRIGLEY - Enbridge Pipelines Inc’s pipeline from Norman Wells to Zama, Alta sprang a small leak on Monday.

The leak, which released approximately four barrels or 635 litres of sweet crude oil, was detected on May 9 at approximately 12:40 p.m. The leak occurred approximately 50 kilometres south of Wrigley.

The oil was contained in a small area along the pipeline right of way, said Gina Jordon, a spokesperson with the company.

“No moving water or wildlife have been impacted,” she said.

The cause of the leak hasn’t been determined and is being investigated, Jordan said. The 12-inch pipeline had been closed for approximately a week at the time of the leak. The pipeline was closed because it connects to Rainbow Pipeline, owned by Plains Midstream Canada, that spilled approximately 28,000 barrels of crude oil near Peace River, Alta. on April 29.

As of May 10, Enbridge didn’t have an estimated time for completing the clean-up of the spill.

“We do take every incident very seriously,” Jordan said.

“We are committed to thoroughly cleaning up the site as quickly as possible.”

The reopening of the line will be contingent on the clean-up and repairs to the line as well as the reopening of the Rainbow Pipeline, she said. Enbridge’s pipeline, which officially opened in May 1985, is 869 kilometres long and can transport 39,400 barrels per day.

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