Enbridge Pipelines has closed and isolated its Line 37 pipeline in north of Cheecham station in Alberta, Canada, after the company detected oil release from the line.
The light synthetic crude oil pipeline is estimated to have released 750 barrels of oil.
Constructed in 2006, Line 37 is a 12in diameter pipeline that runs 17km long and connects facilities in the Long Lake area to
Cheecham and is part of Enbridge’s Athabasca system.
Following the leak, Enbridge isolated the pipeline and shut it down within 10 minutes of detection of a potential hazard from its Materials Balance System.
The company is investigating the cause of the oil release, but is suspecting that unusual heavy rains in the area could have impacted the pipeline.
As a precaution, the company has closed all its other pipelines in the area, including the Athabasca and Waupisoo pipelines.
It is suspected that a portion of the oil has entered a small creek and an unnamed lake near the pipeline right of way.
The oil release has been contained, while containment booms and absorbent mats have been deployed.
Enbridge said no injuries have taken place, while the place has been evacuated and no potable water wells are affected by the release.
In addition, the company has not identified any air-quality issues.
The Athabasca pipeline has a capacity of 345,000 barrels a day and runs 541km from Enbridge’s Athabasca terminal to Hardisty, Alberta.