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'Huge' Russian pipeline oil spill
YOUR E-MAIL ALERTSMOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Russian officials said Monday there had been a "huge" oil spill in an export pipeline in the Byransk region, which is near Russia's western border with Ukraine and Belarus. Oleg Mitvol, deputy chief of the Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources, said the oil spill was "huge," affecting a 10-square kilometer (6 mile) area. He said more than 50 cubic meters of oil had been spilled. Mitvol added that he was on his way to the affected area, and that rescue teams were already there. He also said that there was no immediate danger to people living in the affected area. "Judging by information reaching the ministry from representatives of environmental organizations ... the consequences of the accident may be an environmental catastrophe in the region," a statement Natural Resources Ministry quoted by The Associated Press said. The 2,485-mile-long pipeline has the capacity to ship over 1.2 million barrels a day and generally works at or close to its full capacity, AP said. Copyright 2006 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report. 
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