ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore energy regulator says crude oil is leaking from a valve on the Hibernia platform.
In a statement Friday, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board says the leak is coming from a hose end valve of the northern offshore loading system.
The board says the leak was first reported on Dec. 18, when about 10 litres of crude was spilled from the valve.
A sheen was spotted more than a week later and a remote operated vehicle confirmed the valve leak on Dec. 30.
Hibernia Management and Development Co. says it's looking for sheens, but that no wildlife has been seen in the affected area.
It says it's preparing to fix the leak as soon as the weather permits, while offloading to tankers has been suspended and production rates at the platform have been cut back significantly.
