pipeline break | Northwest Coast Energy News

Enbridge didn’t detect Norman Wells pipeline leak: CBC

CBC

Video only June 8, 2011

Aboriginal hunters first detected the oil link from the Norman Wells pipeline.

June 7, 2011

No coverup in N.W.T. pipeline leak: Enbridge

Enbridge says it was not covering up the true size of a pipeline leak in the Northwest Territories, which leaked up to 1,500 barrels into the northern environment… from its Norman Wells pipeline on May 9…

Enbridge executive Leon Zupan told CBC News that crews only discovered the true size of the spill after they started drilling down into the permafrost to obtain core samples.

Enbridge officials say they don’t know how the leak began, but they said the oil leaked out of an opening about the size of a pinhole….

Oil coming out of such a small opening has, over time, created a spill about half a hectare in size, according to the company.

Alberta leak reminder of dangers

Northern Sentinel

Alberta leak reminder of dangers

A pipeline breach in northern Alberta last week that resulted in approximately 4.5 million litres of oil being spilled should be a reminder of the dangers that could face the region with Enbridge’s proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline project, says Skeena – Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen.

“This should be another nail in the coffin for any idea of a pipeline across BC, and unfortunately paints a pretty clear picture of what happens when you ship oil over land. And it should be noted that this spill happened in an area that is a lot less rugged than on the coast and the proposed route for Enbridge,” he added.