Enbridge crews performed repairs on a section of the Line 5 pipeline in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula after a visual inspection found a pinhole-sized defect. The defect was discovered by Enbridge on 8 December, and subsequently reported to state and federal environmental officials.
Brad Wurfel, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, told local press that a small amount of liquid natural gas was released from the ‘pinhole’, but this quickly evaporated.
Enbridge spokesman Jason Manshum further noted that the small opening could not be seen with the naked eye, but workers noticed a ‘wet spot’ on a weld where gas had escaped. The leak caused no environmental damage, and no cleanup was required.
Edited from various sources by Rosalie Starling
Sources: WEMU, MLive, Fuel Fix