Leaking Galveston Oil Pipeline Sealed

January 1st, 2007

Galveston, Texas - Divers have finally repaired a ruptured pipeline Sunday afternoon that had been leaking light crude oil 30 miles south of Galveston.

Divers have finally repaired a ruptured pipeline Sunday afternoon that had been leaking light crude oil 30 miles south of Galveston.

It's estimated that 44,500 gallons of oil has leaked since the rupture occurred last week in the 14-inch pipeline.

Bad weather slowed attempts to repair it all week.

The Coast Guard observed a light oil sheen nearly a quarter-mile long and 10 feet wide Sunday and was expected to have minimal effect on the environment.

The oil was moving away from shore and dispersing. The cause of the rupture is under investigation.

The Associated Press is reporting that Plains Pipeline spokesman Jordan Janak said "A ship trying to moor might have dropped its anchor on the pipeline."