Husky Energy responding to minor Alberta oil spill

March 23 (UPI) -- Canadian oil company Husky Energy said it was ready to start restoration efforts immediately, after reporting a minor oil spill in southwest Alberta.

Husky estimated a release of about 150 barrels of oil from its Moose Mountain operations in southwest Alberta. In terms of volume, the release is less in gallons than an average residential swimming pool.

The company said the release was discovered one week ago, adding it was still examining the cause of the incident.

"The cleanup will be completed in the days ahead and restoration work will be initiated immediately," a company statement on the incident read. "There is no flowing water at this location and additional precautions have been taken to ensure any runoff is diverted around the cleanup area."

About 1,500 barrels of oil were released near the banks of the North Saskatchewan River after a pipeline ruptured in late July. Husky said its monitoring systems there recorded a pressure anomaly, but no leak, on the pipeline system the night before the spill.

The heavier type of oil found in Canada has the potential to sink in water and mix in with river sediment, making cleanup operations complex.