HOUSTON, TEXAS--(Marketwire - July 27, 2012) - Enbridge Energy Partners, LP (NYSE:EEP) ("the Partnership") reported this afternoon that a release of crude oil from Line 14 has been contained. The site is near Grand Marsh, Wisconsin.
At approximately 2:45 CDT, July 27, 2012 the Enbridge Pipelines Control Center detected a pressure drop on Line 14. Control Center operators shut down and immediately isolated the line. Enbridge emergency crews were promptly deployed to the site.
No one was injured. The oil has been contained on the west side of County Road G in a field, mostly on the pipeline right-of-way. The initial estimate of the volume released is approximately 1200 barrels.
"Enbridge is treating this situation as a top priority," said Richard Adams, vice president, U.S. Operations, Enbridge. "We are bringing all necessary resources to bear. Our immediate focus is on keeping our workers and the public safe as we work to remove the oil and clean up the site."
Enbridge has notified and is working with emergency officials and the appropriate regulators. The cause of the release has not been determined and is being investigated.
At this time, Enbridge does not have an estimated time for restart of the line.
Line 14 is a 24-inch, pipeline with capacity of 317,600 barrels per day, installed in 1998. It predominantly transports light crude oil to Chicago area refineries. It is part of the Partnership's Lakehead System and owned by Enbridge Energy,Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of the Partnership.
About Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.
Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. (www.enbridgepartners.com) owns and operates a diversified portfolio of crude oil and natural gas transportation systems in the United States. Its principal crude oil system is the largest transporter of growing oil production from western Canada. The system's deliveries to refining centers and connected carriers in the United States account for approximately 13 percent of total U.S. oil imports; while deliveries to Ontario, Canada satisfy approximately 70 percent of refinery demand in that region. The Partnership's natural gas gathering, treating, processing and transmission assets, which are principally located onshore in the active U.S. Mid-Continent and Gulf Coast area, deliver approximately 2.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily.