BP reports Alaskan leak

BP has reported another pipe- line leak at its Alaskan oilfields, frustrating the oil giant's attempts to rebuild its reputation after the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

A pipeline at BP's 30,000 barrel per day Lisburne field, which is closed for maintenance, ruptured during testing and spilled methanol and oily water on to the tundra, bringing risks to slow-growing vegetation. The stretch of pipeline will have to be dug up to investigate why it failed.

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation said the spill amounted to 2,100 to 4,200 gallons and the field would remain closed.

A BP spokesman said the clean-up was under way and the company would determine the cause "in due course".