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New Report Assesses Extent Of Oil Spill

A U.S.-Russian joint venture has estimated that the oil spill from a corroded pipeline in the Far North leaked 103,000 tons of oil over the tundra and polluted the River Pechora.


"A film of oil was observed that shows without doubt that oil has entered the River Pechora," Nordeco Inc. said in a report.


The firm, based in the Arkhangelsk region, said aerial photographs and ground inspections showed oil covering more than 60 square kilometers.


The company said its report was based on research by scientific and environmental experts from Oct. 10 to 14.


The Segodnya newspaper, which first reported the study, suggested it might not be 100 percent objective.


Segodnya said the Nenets district, which funded the study, was a founder of the Northern Gates export pipeline project, which seeks to bypass Russian lines for oil exports. The district was "not interested in keeping quiet about the size of the spill," Segodnya said.

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