BP Tries to Secure Leaking Oil and Natural Gas Well in Alaska -- Update

By Dan Molinski 

BP PLC was working with authorities in Alaska on Saturday night to stop oil and natural gas leaking from a well in Prudhoe Bay.

A joint statement from the oil company as well as from local and federal authorities said the leak on Alaska's frozen North Slope was discovered on Friday morning and that the amount of oil spilled remained unknown. It added that the oil currently leaking was "minor" compared to the release of natural gas from the well.

"The well structure is housed in a metal 'well house' which is helping to contain any oil spray," the statement from Unified Command, which includes BP, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, or ADEC, and a North Slope group said.

"Based on an overflight with infrared cameras, the release appears to be contained to a gravel pad surrounding the wellhead and has not reached the tundra," U.K.-based BP said in a separate, emailed statement. "The focus today is on developing plans to fully and safely secure the well."

Authorities don't yet know what caused the discharge from the well, which normally produces both oil and natural gas. Attempts to stop the leak have so far failed.

"Responders attempted to bring the well under control last night, however, this operation was unsuccessful due to damage on a well pressure gauge," the ADEC said. "Responders have determined that the well has 'jacked up,' or risen, approximately 3-4 feet; this vertical movement of the well caused the pressure gauge to break off and prevented operations from pumping into the well to kill it."

There have been no injuries or reports of harm to wildlife, BP said.

BP's operations in and around Prudhoe Bay account for about 55% of Alaska's oil and gas production, according to the company website.

Production began at Prudhoe Bay 40 years ago, and it remains one of North America's largest oil fields, having generated more than 12 billion barrels of oil.

Write to Dan Molinski at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 16, 2017 00:38 ET (04:38 GMT)

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