Americas News
Bunker Fuel Leak from Abandoned Pipeline Identified in Canada
An abandoned pipe has been found to be slowly leaking bunker fuel into the ocean in Northwestern British Columbia, Canadian media reports.
According to the Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA), workers are now reportedly attempting to stem the flow, having excavated an area to flush and cap the pipe.
“It appears old bunker fuel was residue in a pipe and with the higher temperatures we've had recently the viscosity was reduced and became liquefied turning into a very small drip on the north shore,” said Michael Gurney, manager of communications for the port authority.
"Its a very small quantity and has only been dripping for a couple of days based on our observations."
Staff were said to have been alerted to the spill on Sunday after a rainbow sheen could be seen sitting on top of the water.
The pipeline was said to run through the PRPA's property, though predates the company's ownership.
“The era of the pipe is not directly known but is believed to have carried bunker fuel from a storage facility uphill,” Gurney said.
The Western Canada Marine Response Corporation has reportedly been engaged to clean the north shore of Prince Rupert harbour, while a consultant was also reportedly hired to examine the extent of the impact.
The port authority said there was "minimal risk to marine life and vegetation."
Earlier this year, another spill in a Vancouver, British Columbia, saw a grain carrier spill approximately 2,700 litres of fuel into the water.
