Crescent Point Energy pipeline leak spills over to farmer’s field

Although the spill caused by the leak has been localised to a spot where it could be contained, the question of who should be held liable remains

Insurance News

By Lyle Adriano

Crescent Point Energy, Saskatchewan’s major oil producer, is investigating the circumstances of a recent pipeline leak on a farm northwest of Swift Current, near the village of Pennant.

The leak, which happened Tuesday, caused a spill equivalent to 630 barrels of oil and water. The spill originated from a relatively short section of pipeline (approximately 1.2 kilometres), which ran from a collection point to another facility that separates the oil and the water.

"Most of the spill is cleaned up," said Crescent Point Energy chief operating officer Neil Smith.

"A couple of nights ago … we had three inches of rain overnight, so that slowed down some of the recovery operations, but we are pretty well done. It's just the last bit of the cleanup now."

According to Yahoo! News, Crescent Point’s monitoring equipment failed to detect the leak—leaks are detected whenever the equipment pick up a change in flow rate or pressure in the line. The company was instead notified by another crew onsite that was inspecting its own facilities.

"They responded immediately," said deputy minister of economy Laurie Pushor. "It is very common for field operators to share information when it is seen."

Smith suspects that the pipeline had been leaking for a day or two.

The spill is reportedly, by volume, half the size of the one caused by the recent Husky Energy pipeline leak, which spilled over into the North Saskatchewan River.

"It was a small confined spill to an immediate area," Smith described the latest spill.

Crescent Point’s leak happened in a farmer’s field, and the oil-water emulsion collected in a small low spot where it could be easily contained.

The government has confirmed that the spill did not affect any nearby bodies of water that either have fish or are used for drinking. It has also been confirmed that there has been no risk to wildlife.

Smith said that the company is looking into why the pipeline failed and why its automated leak detection systems fail.

"We take the health and safety of our workers, of our community, of our environment very seriously," he remarked.

It is unknown if Crescent Point has to pay for any environmental damages.


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