"In Alaska's Cook Inlet, Another Apparent Hilcorp Natural Gas Leak"

"It is the third pipeline incident this year for Hilcorp Alaska in an area that is home to endangered beluga whales."

"ANCHORAGE, Alaska—The owner of a pipeline leaking natural gas into Alaska's Cook Inlet is dealing with another potential gas leak on a different line. It is the third such incident this year for Hilcorp Alaska in an area that has been declared a "critical habitat" for endangered beluga whales.

A spokesman for the company said the latest incident was not a leak, but rather "a metering anomaly." The federal agency with jurisdiction over the pipeline challenged that characterization.

"As far as we know there was a leak. If they [Hilcorp] have some new information that hasn't made it to us yet, I couldn't speak on that," said Darius Kirkwood, a spokesman for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)."

Sabrina Shankman reports for InsideClimate News April 8, 2017.

SEE ALSO:

"Alaska Oil and Gas Spills Prompt Call for Inspection of All Cook Inlet Pipelines" (InsideClimate News)