Slow oil leak discovered on trans-Alaska pipeline

Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. and state authorities are responding to a slow leak of crude oil discovered in a buried section of the 800-mile trans-Alaska pipeline.

The Alaska Dispatch News reports that a Friday incident report from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation says a joint near Pump Station 10 between Glennallen and Delta Junction has spilled an estimated 10 or so gallons of oil.

The leak was discovered during standard maintenance last Friday. The state says Alyeska will work with regulators to identify the cause.

Alyeska Director of Corporate Communication Michelle Egan says the pipeline is not in danger of shutting down.

She says the pipeline operator has recovered contaminated gravel from the area and the company is monitoring the site around the clock, prepared for any necessary oil removal.

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