Authorities say an oil spill near Prudhoe Bay contaminated about 780 square metres of snow-covered tundra.
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation spokeswoman Weld Royal said oil cleanup crews rushed to the scene about three kilometres from a production center on the North Slope around 3 a.m. Sunday.
She told The Associated Press that it still isn't clear how much spilled or what caused it, but the petroleum did not reach the bay.
The spill occurred around a pipeline that carried a mixture of crude oil, produced water, and natural gas, but the line was not in operation at the time.
She says British Petroleum Exploration (Alaska) discovered the spill and immediately sent crews to contain it. The Environmental Protection Agency has also sent a team.
Oil spill on North Slope
An oil spill near Prudhoe Bay contaminated about 780 square metres of snow-covered tundra.
Published: 30.11.2009 15:20
Alaska
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