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Leak sparks partial BP shutdown Leak sparks partial BP shutdown
(about 12 hours later)
Oil giant BP has shut down a quarter of its operations at its Alaskan oilfield after discovering a leaking pipe.Oil giant BP has shut down a quarter of its operations at its Alaskan oilfield after discovering a leaking pipe.
BP said it shutdown some production at the Prudhoe field after finding water leaking from a pipe used in a facility that separates water from crude oil. BP said it shut down some production at the Prudhoe field after finding water leaking from a pipe used in a facility that separates water from crude oil.
However, the news had little effect on oil prices which fell on Tuesday.However, the news had little effect on oil prices which fell on Tuesday.
In the US, light sweet crude slipped $1.30 to close at $64.97, while in London Brent crude closed 97 cents lower at $69.52.In the US, light sweet crude slipped $1.30 to close at $64.97, while in London Brent crude closed 97 cents lower at $69.52.
Analysts said traders had shrugged off the leak as minor, and were instead taking profits on recent gains. Analysts said traders had shrugged off the leak as minor, and were instead taking profits on recent share gains.
Production cutProduction cut
The Prudhoe facility produces around 400,000 barrels of oil a day.The Prudhoe facility produces around 400,000 barrels of oil a day.
"We expect the facility to be down a few days while repairs are made," said BP spokesman Ronnie Chappell. The group expects production to fall by just 25,000 barrels a day."We expect the facility to be down a few days while repairs are made," said BP spokesman Ronnie Chappell. The group expects production to fall by just 25,000 barrels a day.
News of the leak comes as a US criminal investigation takes place into a incident at the facility last year which led to 200,000 gallons of oil leaking from the site.News of the leak comes as a US criminal investigation takes place into a incident at the facility last year which led to 200,000 gallons of oil leaking from the site.
At a hearing last week, BP America chief Bob Malone admitted "there were extreme budget pressures at Prudhoe Bay", which had affected maintenance work. At a hearing last week, BP America chief Bob Malone admitted there had been "extreme budget pressures at Prudhoe Bay", which had affected maintenance work.
BP has also launched an independent review of corrosion inspection and monitoring of all its pipelines at Prudhoe and across Alaska.BP has also launched an independent review of corrosion inspection and monitoring of all its pipelines at Prudhoe and across Alaska.
Last year, it vowed to spend $550m maintaining its pipeline network in Alaska, including the replacement of 16 miles of oil transit pipelines.Last year, it vowed to spend $550m maintaining its pipeline network in Alaska, including the replacement of 16 miles of oil transit pipelines.