Officials with Plains Midstream Canada have activated emergency response procedures following the detection of a release in its Kemp pipeline system on Saturday.
The condensate release occurred at a location approximately 90 kilometres northwest of the town of Manning, Alberta, in the northwest corner of the province.
The 79 kilometre long pipeline system transports condensate and other by-products of natural gas processing.
Plains Midstream has deployed emergency personnel and equipment to the scene and has notified the Energy Resources Conservation Board. A perimeter has been established around the impacted area, a section of land measuting approximately 100 metres by 150 metres.
"We regret this incident and are working around the clock to limit the impact of the release," says Stephen Bart, Vice President, Crude Oil Operations, Plains Midstream Canada. "Industry-leading technical experts and regulatory bodies are engaged onsite in our response efforts and to ensure an effective clean-up."
The cause and estimated volume of the leak have not been determined. Preliminary estimates indicate 950 barrels on condensate were released.
Mike Hudema, spokesperson for Greenpeace Canada, released a statement following the Plains Midstream spill.
“While we still await details of the latest spill to hit Alberta two things are glaringly obvious: the first is that these spills are far too frequent, and the second is that the government and it’s energy regulator are failing to protect our environment and our communities. We need a truly independent system so that protecting industries image so the government can push more tar sands pipelines doesn’t continue to be more important than protecting the public good.”
