Enbridge investigates reports of gas leak off Louisiana coast in Gulf of Mexico

CALGARY - Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB) said Tuesday it was investigating reports of a small natural gas leak in the Gulf of Mexico.

The reported leak was in the West Cameron Block 275, about 105 kilometres off the coast of Louisiana, it said in a release.

"A helicopter flyover was completed earlier today, and a three-foot (one-metres) diameter patch of bubbles has been spotted on the surface of the water in the vicinity of the Stingray natural gas pipeline."

Enbridge said the Stingray pipeline continues to operate "under normal operating parameters at this time, in accordance with regulatory standards and guidelines and we are in contact with regulatory authorities."

The company said a dive boat has been dispatched and that an investigation would begin as soon as weather conditions permit.

"We do not anticipate any potential business interruption to be material" as a results of the leak or repairs, said Terrance McGill, senior vice-president of natural gas operations and engineering for Enbridge.

Greenpeace spokesman Mike Hudema said it is worth noting the possible spill was reported on the first day of hearings into Enbridge's Northern Gateway project, which would deliver Alberta oil to a port in Kitimat, B.C., for export to Asia.

"This does not generate much confidence," said Hudema. "It seems like an ominous sign of things to come and is a sober reminder of the toxic effects that pipelines and super-tankers pose to the environment and human health."

Calgary-based Enbridge, through its Canadian and U.S. operations, runs the world's longest crude oil and liquids transportation system and is also a significant player in the natural gas gathering and distribution business and a growing involvement in the power transmission and green energy segment.