CONOCOPHILLIPS FINED $180K FOR 2016 CONDENSATE LEAK

ConocoPhillips Canada is being fined $180,000 for a 2016 pipeline leak that spilled petroleum in northwestern Alberta. The Alberta Energy Regulator says the leak of 380,000 litres of condensate resulted in 38 observed fatalities to unspecified species of wildlife and hundreds of potential wildlife deaths as it affected nearly three square kilometres of land as well as nearby waterways. It is assessing a $165,000 fine to account for the 33 days in May to June 2016 that the firm failed to report the release. The regulator is also fining the Canadian arm of Houstonbased ConocoPhillips Co. $5,000 each for three counts related to failing to develop and maintain a leak-detection manual for the pipeline, failing to take reasonable measures to remedy and confine the leak and for allowing the release to damage public land.