National security investigators with the RCMP are investigating a gas leak on an EnCana pipeline in northeastern B.C. that may have been caused by another deliberate bombing. RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said police hope to release more information, including the cause of the leak, later on Thursday. "Certainly we want to ensure we have the proper resources here to fully examine the scene and make sure, if it is linked to the other incidents and bombings, we collect the evidence as thoroughly as possible," said Moskaluk. EnCana spokeswoman Rhona DelFrari said the area around the leak was cordoned off and there is no threat to the public or the environment, but it's alarming nonetheless. "It appears that it may have been caused by an explosion. If this is the case, then we are concerned about that," said DelFrari. EnCana employees detected a sudden drop in pressure in a sweet gas pipeline on Wednesday and traced the source of the leak to remote wellhead about eight kilometres south of Dawson Creek.
"If it was caused by an explosion that was set on purpose, then that is very frustrating to us because it causes a potential risk to the public and our staff in the area," she said. Fortunately no residents were in the nearby vicinity and no one was at risk, said DelFrari. Since October, there have been four deliberate bombings of EnCana pipelines and natural gas facilities in northeastern B.C., according to police. Investigators believe the bomber in those incidents was a local resident with a grudge against EnCana, which operates a large network of sour gas wells in the area. Sour gas is a type of natural gas that contains toxic hydrogen sulfide.
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The RCMP has responded to a report of a gas leak, which occurred in the early morning hours of July 1st, 2009, along a portion of an EnCana natural gas pipeline near Pouce Coupe, Dawson Creek B.C. EnCana and the RCMP have secured and contained the area to ensure public safety. EnCana reported the incident to the RCMP this am, after EnCana employees noted that gas line metering and detection devices indicated a drop in pipeline pressure in the early morning hours of July 1st. EnCana staff then attended the location and noted a gas leak at a wellhead on the site. EnCana and the RCMP immediately secured and contained the area in order to ensure public safety.
The RCMP Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) have assembled and are en route. The investigators will liaise with EnCana, with further information being made available to the public once the scene is examined by the RCMP and determination is made wether or not the leak is associated to a criminally motivated act.
Media inquiry messages/requests are to be directed to RCMP Media Relations Officer Cpl Dan Moskaluk at 250-863-7433 or by leaving a message with the Dawson Creek RCMP Detachment. Cpl Moskaluk anticipates being in the Dawson Creek area this evening and attempts to return media inquiries will be made today while in transit. Cpl Moskaluk will be available for further comment on July 2nd at the Dawson Creek RCMP Detachment commencing at 08:00am.
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