US environmental regulators are conducting a criminal investigation into BP's management of pipelines in Alaska's North Slope, the Wall Street Journalsaid today.
The newspaper said the investigation, which has been under way for several months by officials at the Environmental Protection Agency, was expanded to include an early March spill of an estimated 134,000 to 267,000 gallons of crude from a BP-operated pipeline at Prudhoe Bay.
One source told the newspaper that federal investigators are looking at corrosion issues on the ruptured line, as well as others in the area, to determine if BP has committed any violations of the federal Clean Water Act.
The act carries criminal and civil penalties for violations, such as allowing oil to spill into a federal waterway.
A BP spokesman was quoted as telling the newspaper that he has had no contact with EPA investigators since the first days immediately following the March spill.
"If they do contact us again, we will cooperate fully with their requests," he said in a written response to questions.
Last month Alaska Attorney General David Marquez said BP faces a fine of up to $2 million.