OREANDA-NEWS. April 03, 2013. Cleanup operations were continuing at the site of a spill of crude oil near Mayflower, AR, ExxonMobil Pipeline Company said.

An apparent breach in the Pegasus pipeline carrying crude oil occurred late Friday afternoon. The pipeline has been shut in and crews are working to contain the spill.

“We regret that this incident has occurred and apologize for any disruption and inconvenience that it has caused,” said Karen Tyrone, southern operations manager of ExxonMobil Pipeline Company. “Our focus is on protecting health, safety and the environment.  We will be here until the cleanup is complete.”

Emergency response efforts are focused on ensuring community health and safety and keeping the crude oil from entering a nearby lake during cleanup.

Cleanup crews are using specialized equipment to recover oil. Additional resources are being mobilized to the area to assist with the cleanup response.

Air quality monitoring is being conducted in the impacted area.

The cleanup is being coordinated with the Department of Emergency Management and other local authorities. Notification to the Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies has taken place.

Members of the community who may be impacted or have questions can contact 1-800-876-9291.

The cause of the spill is under investigation.

The Pegasus pipeline is a 20-inch pipeline which originates in Patoka, IL and carries crude oil to the Texas Gulf Coast.

Customers have been notified and efforts are under way to minimize any potential impacts.