Divers find natural gas pipeline leak in Alaska’s Cook Inlet

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The owner of a pipeline spewing natural gas in Alaska's Cook Inlet says dive crews have located the leak.

The Hilcorp Alaska LLC pipeline has leaked hundreds of thousands of cubic feet of processed natural gas since mid-December. The leak was spotted from the air Feb. 7.

The 8-inch (20-centimetre) diameter pipeline supplies gas for power to four production platforms.

Hilcorp spokeswoman Lori Nelson in an announcement says divers discovered a 2-inch (5-centimetre) hole at bottom of the pipeline where it rests on a boulder embedded in the sea floor.

Divers are preparing the site for installation of a temporary clamp.

A more permanent fix will follow.

Nelson says the line will not be put back into service until permanent repairs are completed and regulators approve restarting the line.

Dan Joling, The Associated Press

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