Poland detects leak on main oil pipeline between Russia, Europe

The Polish pipeline operator PERN detected a leak late on October 11 in one "Druzhba" pipeline which carries oil from Russia to Europe, the company said in a press statement.

"At the moment, the causes of the incident are not known — the pumping in the damaged line was immediately turned off. The other line of the [Druzhba] oil pipeline is operating without changes", the statement reads, as was reported by Politico on October 12. 

The company said the leak was located some 70 kilometres from the western city of Płock and was on the main route transporting crude oil to Germany. It added that other infrastructure continues to operate.

Polish media said that about 1,000 square metres of a cornfield have been polluted with the oil spill.

The report comes two weeks after several leaks were detected on the Nord Stream pipelines — which carry gas from Russia to Europe — in the Baltic Sea after suspected sabotage.

Polish deputy state secretary in the Ministry of Climate and Environment, Adam Guibourgé-Czetwertyński, said "we are analyzing the situation right now. I can confirm there is indeed a leak a few dozen kilometres from Płock".