An oil and gas production well operated by BP Exploration Alaska Inc. in Prudhoe Bay has stopped leaking oil but continues leaking natural gas, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation said in an Apr. 16 statement.
The leak was reported on Apr. 14 on BP’s drill site 2, well 3 about 5 miles from the Deadhorse Airport, ADEC said.
“The well is currently venting gas, which caused an initial spray of crude oil that impacted the well pad,” ADEC said. “However it is not currently spraying crude oil.”
Officials report the crude spray plume did not leave the pad, but the situation is not safe yet for responders to access the well or inspect adjacent tundra. No volume estimate for crude spray released was immediately available.
The cause of the release also was unknown at this time. ADEC said it was coordinating with BP and the Alaska Oil & Gas Conservation Commission to investigate.
