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Power outage causes oil spill off N.L., Canadian Coast Guard notified

A tug positions itself near the base of the Hibernia platform in Bull Arm, Trinity Bay, N.L., Thursday, May 22, 1997. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

An oil platform temporarily lost power on Saturday, causing about 2,200 litres of oil to spill into the ocean southeast of St. John’s, N.L.

READ MORE: Investigation and cleanup underway after oil spill near Edmonton

A statement from Hibernia Management and Development Company says the power outage activated a water sprinkler system.

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Major oil spill rehearsal in Vancouver Harbour

The statement says this caused its waste containment drain system to overflow, sending the oil into the ocean.

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The company says there were no injuries and that power has been restored, but production has stopped as an oil spill response team is at the scene.

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READ MORE: Cleanup called off after 12,000-litre Hibernia oil spill: regulator

The Canadian Coast Guard and the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board have been notified.

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