DAWSON CREEK, B.C. - The BC Energy Regulator (BCER) says it is investigating a pipeline leak that occurred west of Dawson Creek last month.
The energy regulator said the incident was reported on July 14 and involved the release of produced water on private land near Arras, about 26 kilometres west of Dawson Creek.
The leak originated from a produced water pipeline operated by Murphy Oil Corporation.
According to the BCER, the produced water flowed downhill from the leak site and entered a nearby non-fish-bearing stream.
BCER officials said containment measures have been put in place and remediation work is currently underway.
Produced water is a byproduct of oil and gas production and can contain a mixture of salts, hydrocarbons and other naturally occurring substances that require careful management and disposal.
The regulator has attended the site and continues to monitor the company’s response to the incident.
The regulator declined to provide additional details, citing the ongoing investigation.
“Since this is an active investigation, this is all the information we will be releasing at this time,” said the BCER in a statement to CJDC TV News.
The incident first came to CJDC TV News’ attention after a viewer reported what they described as a significant spill and an extensive cleanup operation in the area.
Those claims have not been independently verified and have not been confirmed by the BCER.
CJDC TV News has reached out to Murphy Oil Corporation for comment and additional details regarding the cause of the leak, the volume of produced water released and the company’s remediation efforts.
“Murphy is responding to a produced water release from a pipeline on private land in the Tupper Montney West field. The incident was reported by Murphy to the appropriate regulatory authorities, and the affected pipeline was isolated and drained. Murphy continues environmental monitoring and remediation activities while working closely with the BC Energy Regulator and private landowners,” said Macy Widner, Communications Specialist with Murphy Oil.
The BCER has not indicated when its investigation is expected to be completed.