Owner to reduce gas flow in leaky Alaska pipeline

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The governor of Alaska said 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 said the leak hasn’t caused any significant environmental damage but that 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 is believed to have begun in mid- December.

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