ExxonMobil has been granted a third extension to submit an analysis of what caused the 22-foot long rupture of the Pegasus Pipeline resulting in the spill of over 100,000 gallons of oil in Mayflower.
ExxonMobil has said the federal agency investigating the rupture has already received preliminary data from lab testing.
However, the oil giant has denied Central Arkansas Water’s request for access to preliminary reports. Watershed Protection Manager John Tynan says he’s disappointed in the lack of information being provided.
"Central Arkansas Water is interested in getting as much of the information regarding what led to the rupture in Mayflower as we can and allowing our technical experts to review that. Certainly, we're disappointed we weren't able to get the preliminary report, but [we] look forward to what does come out in the coming weeks and months," says Tynan.
Tynan says he thinks ultimately the pipeline must be removed from the Lake Maumelle Watershed, which provides drinking water to over 400,000 people in Central Arkansas.
Previously, Exxon denied Central Arkansas Water’s request to move the pipeline away from the watershed. However, Tynan says he’s optimistic that continued talks with Exxon could change that.
Exxon’s report on the cause of the spill was originally due on May 17, then extended to early June, and is now expected July 10.
It is not known when or if the report will be made available to Central Arkansas Water and the public.
