Pipeline breaks causes nature reserve oil leak

A pipeline leak has caused around 240 barrels of crude oil to contaminate a US nature preserve. The oil seeped from an underground pipe, causing a large section of the Oak Glen Nature Preserve in Ohio to be affected. Although the leak is not overly large, it is expected that the containment and cleanup of the oil is going to take an extended amount of time.

The 20 inch pipe - owned by Mid-Valley Pipeline Co - is thought to have ruptured at some time around March 14th. The oil was discovered on the following Monday (March 17th) following reports from residents of a strong petrol smell in the area, which prompted an investigation by authorities, according to local media. 

Around 3,000 gallons of water and oil have been cleaned from the area, but the cleanup is still continuing and is likely to take a while longer. The company that owns the pipeline started to perform repairs, but more help was called in to aid in the cleanup. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued experts to aid in the efforts, while Sunoco Logistics - owner of 91 per cent of the Mid-Valley Pipeline Co - also brought in contract workers.

The pipeline was shut down on Tuesday (March 18th) after it was determined to be the cause of the leak, allowing for contamination containment and repairs to commence. It is thought that a total of 10,000 gallons of crude oil leaked from the pipeline. Although this is spread across a reasonably small area, it has impacted a mile stretch of the nearby creek.

It is not yet known what caused the pipe to break, but the Department of Transportation has begun an investigation into the incident. The EPA is also looking into whether the oil has caused groundwater in the area to become polluted. It will also continue to monitor the site of the spill for air contamination.

The pipeline is part of a 1,800km stretch that transports crude oil from Longview in Texas to Samaria, Michigan.