Enbridge investigates gas leak report off Louisiana coast

Enbridge Inc. said Tuesday it was investigating reports of a small natural gas leak in the Gulf of Mexico.

The news comes on the same day the company starts the public hearing into the controversial plan to build the Northern Gateway pipeline to the West Coast from Alberta's oilsands in the First Nations community of Kitamaat Village, B.C.

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 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 investigative 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.

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.