BP workers Wedensday were cleaning up a spill estimated at 4,200 gal of crude oil and produced water at a tank near Flow Station 2 in the Prudhoe Bay field, company spokesman Steve Rinehart said.
The spill occurred Monday afternoon and was caused by a combination of failures in instrumentation and a valve as workers were checking the tank, Rinehart said. BP is still investigating the indident.
"All of the spilled fluids were held in a containment area on the gravel pad that was lined with an impermeable barrier, and we have no evidence that there has been any leakage to the environment," Rinehart said.
In a situation report, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation said the volume of fluids released is still an estimate because of the presence of snow on the pad.
Rinehart said vacuum trucks are on the scene removing liquids from the containment area.
