An oil spill from the Druzhba pipeline was detected near the town of Pniewy in western Poland on Sunday, prompting local authorities to manage traffic and initiate emergency response measures.
Officials confirmed that the incident does not pose a risk of fire or explosion.
The leak, discovered in a field near a gas station on the outskirts of Pniewy, led to a strong smell of gas in the area.
“During the investigation, it was determined that there was a spill of a substance resembling oil in a field in the area,” said Martin Halasz, spokesman for the regional State Fire Service.
The Druzhba pipeline, a major conduit for oil supplies from Russia to eastern and central Europe, is managed by Polish energy firm PERN.
Following the discovery, the company shut down one of the pipeline's pumping substations as a precaution.
"The eastern section of the pipeline has already been shut down, but the remote system failed to close the western section, so manual shutdown is currently underway," Halasz explained.
A chemical response team and the Provincial Fire Service Commander’s Operational Group were dispatched to the scene to assess and secure the area.
Traffic on National Road 92, which runs near the affected area, has been reduced to alternating single-lane flow to facilitate emergency operations, according to the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways.
Local residents have been reassured that there is no danger to their safety. "There is no danger to residents, and the leak does not pose a risk of explosion or fire," said Halasz, adding that fire service personnel would oversee the area during pipeline repairs.
PERN representatives have yet to comment further on the extent of the damage or the potential impact on oil transport.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely.
The leak, discovered in a field near a gas station on the outskirts of Pniewy, led to a strong smell of gas in the area.
“During the investigation, it was determined that there was a spill of a substance resembling oil in a field in the area,” said Martin Halasz, spokesman for the regional State Fire Service.
The Druzhba pipeline, a major conduit for oil supplies from Russia to eastern and central Europe, is managed by Polish energy firm PERN.
Following the discovery, the company shut down one of the pipeline's pumping substations as a precaution.
"The eastern section of the pipeline has already been shut down, but the remote system failed to close the western section, so manual shutdown is currently underway," Halasz explained.
A chemical response team and the Provincial Fire Service Commander’s Operational Group were dispatched to the scene to assess and secure the area.
Traffic disruption
Traffic on National Road 92, which runs near the affected area, has been reduced to alternating single-lane flow to facilitate emergency operations, according to the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways.
Local residents have been reassured that there is no danger to their safety. "There is no danger to residents, and the leak does not pose a risk of explosion or fire," said Halasz, adding that fire service personnel would oversee the area during pipeline repairs.
PERN representatives have yet to comment further on the extent of the damage or the potential impact on oil transport.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely.
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