Pipeline leak in northeastern B.C. was not sabotage
Friday, February 20, 2009
CBC News
Two pipeline workers were injured by a leak in a northeastern B.C. natural gas pipeline, but the incident was not another case of sabotage, an official said.
Spectra Energy spokeswoman Rosemary Silva said Friday two workers were doing routine maintenance on a 45-centimetre pipeline when the breach occurred.
The two workers were taken to hospital with minor injuries and one was later released, she said.
The company had the leak under control by noon Friday and traffic on the nearby Alaska Highway resumed flowing.
It was too early to say what might have caused the leak, Silva said.
Initial reports from drivers on the Alaska Highway, which is about 400 metres away from the pipeline, had officials worried the pipeline had exploded. Fort St. John RCMP quickly moved to block traffic near the 111-mile mark on the route.
But Spectra Energy said the roaring sound drivers heard resulted from gas escaping from the pipeline, and there was no fire or explosion at the site.
There have been four bombings aimed at EnCana pipelines in the same area in recent months, but Silva said Friday's incident was not sabotage.
Many pipelines in the area carry sour gas, a form of natural gas that can be toxic in certain concentrations.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2009/02/20/bc-pipeline-explosion-al...
