NORTH SLOPE OUTPUT
BP plugs leak at oil well in Alaska
But a second leak emitting gas remains open, says Alaska’s conservation department
New York — A well operated by BP Exploration Alaska on Alaska’s frigid North Slope is no longer spraying crude oil after leaks were discovered on Friday morning. The crude spray onto the well pad, which occurred while the well in the Greater Prudhoe Bay area was venting gas, had stopped by Sunday afternoon. A second leak at the well was emitting gas at a reduced rate, the state’s environmental conservation department said. Well pressure was monitored through the night and excess pressure was bled off to keep it within a safe range. The volume of the leak had not been determined and the cause of the release was unknown, the department said. There had been no injuries and no reports of harm to wildlife. Based on aerial pictures, the release appeared to be confined to the gravel pad surrounding the well head and had not reached the surrounding tundra, BP said. The well had been shut since Friday and the response is continuing, BP spokeswoman Dawn Patience said. The leak comes as the re...
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