Alaska officials are actively addressing a pipeline leak at the Point Thomson gas field, resulting in the release of an unspecified amount of liquid natural gas condensate.
The incident, which occurred approximately 35 miles east of Prudhoe Bay on the North Slope, is currently under investigation. Harvest Alaska LLC, the operator responsible for the pipeline, estimates a maximum leak of 11,550 gallons or 275 barrels.
Swift Response to Pipeline Leak
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation issued an initial incident report, revealing that Harvest Alaska LLC, a subsidiary of Harvest Midstream (an affiliate of Hilcorp Energy), reported the leak.
The company indicated that the maximum amount of leaked liquid natural gas condensate could be approximately 11,550 gallons. The leak was discovered on a Saturday evening, prompting Harvest Alaska to take immediate action by shutting down the pipeline and notifying relevant federal and state agencies.
Andrew Limmer, the regional vice president of Harvest Alaska, stated that cleanup operations were initiated promptly upon discovering the leak.
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Harvest Alaska Addresses Pipeline Leak
The company’s spokesperson, Justin Furnace, released a statement emphasizing their commitment to addressing the incident responsibly. The state agency’s on-scene coordinator directed inquiries to Harvest Alaska, highlighting their involvement in managing the situation.
The Department of Environmental Conservation confirmed that the pipeline was immediately shut in and depressurized after the leak alarm notification.
This rapid response prevented any additional condensate from escaping the pipeline. As cleanup operations continue, authorities are working to determine the cause of the leak, ensuring comprehensive remediation measures.
The cause of the pipeline leak remains under investigation, with authorities seeking to identify the factors that led to the incident. Such investigations are crucial for implementing preventive measures to avoid similar occurrences in the future.
Alaska’s commitment to environmental stewardship underscores the significance of swiftly addressing and mitigating the impact of such incidents on its pristine landscapes.
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