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Owner of leaking Alaska pipeline to halt natural gas flow

The Chugach Mountains and the buildings of downtown Anchorage, Alaska, are reflected in the still waters of Cook Inlet. A pipeline spewing natural gas into Alaska's Cook Inlet may have started leaking in December, according to a federal pipeline safety office. (Mark Thiessen / Associated Press)
Associated Press

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The governor of Alaska says the owner of an underwater pipeline leaking processed natural gas will temporarily reduce the amount of gas that feeds into the line.

The office of Gov. Bill Walker said Saturday that Hilcorp Alaska has agreed to the temporary reduction in the flow of gas through the pipeline for safety and environmental reasons.

The pipeline is leaking an estimated 193,000 to 215,000 cubic feet of gas a day into Alaska’s Cook Inlet, which contains endangered beluga whales.

Hilcorp says the leak hasn’t caused any significant environmental issues but ice has made it too risky to start repairing the pipeline.

The pipeline moves processed natural gas from shore to four petroleum production platforms in the inlet. The leak may have begun in mid-December.