Oil pipeline breach sparks one of worst spills in Alaska

ANCHORAGE, United States (AFP) – An oil pipeline leak on Alaska’s North Slope has spewed up to 220,000 liters (58,000 gallons) of crude onto the tundra, causing one of the region’s worst spills, officials said.

The leak, apparently caused by metal corrosion, was detected in the United States’ largest oil field a week ago and forced the shutdown of a pipeline in the Prudhoe Bay field to allow for repairs and a clean-up.

Officials confirmed that — while the leak is miniscule compared to the spillage caused by the Exxon Valdez shipping disaster in 1989 — it could turn out to be the worst spill ever on Alaska’s North Slope.

“We don’t know exactly how much has been leaked, but so far 1,395 barrels (58,590 gallons) of liquids have been collected, most of crude that it is mixed with snow,” Linda Giguere of Alaska’s Department of Environmental Conservation told AFP.

AFP