(KINY) – DEC is responding to a liquid natural gas leak approximately 35 east of Prudhoe Bay. Here is what is currently known about the leak.
The release was located on the North Slope, approximately 35 miles east of Prudhoe Bay and approximately 1 mile southeast of the Badami Pad.On January 13, 2024, at 10:19 PM Alaska Standard Time (AKST), Harvest Alaska, LLC (Harvest Alaska) received a leak detection alarm, indicating a release from the pipeline.
After receiving the leak detection alarm and isolating the line, air and ground resources were deployed. Visual confirmation of the leak was observed via aircraft on January 14, 2024, at 11:54 A.M. The ground survey crew provided additional visual confirmation shortly thereafter.
The pipeline was immediately shut in and depressurized following the leak alarm notification, which has stopped any remaining condensate from leaving the pipeline. Further operations to address the leak are underway.
The release is an unknown volume of liquid natural gas condensate (condensate). While the volume is still currently being determined, the maximum potential released from the pipeline was calculated by Harvest Alaska to be 11,550 gallons (275 barrels).
Harvest Alaska has stood up an Incident Management Team with a Unified Command (UC) that includes the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Delineation of the spill area has been completed. Mobilization of response resources to the site is underway with recovery operations to begin shortly. Mutual aid is being provided by other North Slope operators.
The cause of the leak is currently under investigation.
