Hole in pipeline leaks oil into Louisiana marsh

NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Coast Guard says a hole in a pipeline has leaked oil into a marsh about 50 miles (80 kilometres) south of New Orleans.

XTO Energy spokesman Jeremy Eikenberry said Friday that the leak occurred Nov. 22 on a flow line, which transports product from wells to a nearby storage facility. The Fort Worth, Texas-based XTO owns the pipeline.

The Coast Guard reports that about 1,260 gallons (4,679 litres) of oil have been recovered from the marsh near Pointe a la Hache and the leak has been secured.

Eikenberry says the well was shut after the leak was discovered and will remain so until cleanup is completed.

The Coast Guard says a controlled burn was conducted Friday to remove the remaining oil from the marsh.

The cause of the spill is under investigation.