17 February 2004 08:55
Oil pipeline rupture causes leak in Russia`s Urals
Yekaterinburg, 17 February: Some 200 t of crude oil have spilled as a result of the Perm-Almetyevsk main
[underground] oil pipeline rupture 50 km southwest of Perm.
There is no environmental hazard [in the area], Nikolay Gerasimov, aide to the head of the Volga-Urals regional
Emergencies Ministry centre, told ITAR-TASS today. Twenty vehicles are ready to start removing snow and soil soaked in
oil in the afternoon.
The incident took place in the early hours of Monday [16 February]. The oil pipeline is shut down.
A road to approach the pipeline was built, the rupture was located, the damaged 6-metre section of the pipe was cut
out. A new pipe has been prepared to replace it and welding works are under way, Gerasimov said.
"Repair works are to be completed today and after that the pipeline will resume its normal operation. As the
pipeline ruptured in an uninhabited area, the possibility of the spilled oil getting into water intakes is ruled
out," Gerasimov added.
[ITAR-TASS news agency] |
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