ExxonMobil investigating small leak

ST. LOUIS (AP) — ExxonMobil officials and regulators are investigating a small oil leak in southeast Missouri — the second leak from the 850-mile Pegasus pipeline in a month.

The latest leak was discovered Tuesday in the yard of a home just north of the Arkansas border. About 42 gallons of crude oil spilled. That’s roughly one barrel.

ExxonMobil spokesman Russ Roberts said cleanup was nearly complete Thursday. He says an investigation is ongoing, “but it appears a third party might be involved.” He declined to elaborate.

The pipeline running from Illinois to Texas already was out of service after a much larger breach in Arkansas in March, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t oil inside.

About 5,000 barrels of oil spilled in March. The cause of that leak also is being investigated.

Source: Associated Press