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Crews Prepare to Recover Ruptured Pipeline in Arkansas River

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LITTLE ROCK – Crews are preparing to recover a natural gas pipeline that ruptured in the Arkansas River, forcing closure of a two-mile section of the river near Little Rock.

Spectra Energy Corp. says the recovery process could begin Tuesday once conditions are safe enough to put divers in the water. The company provides gas to CenterPoint Energy in the Little Rock area.

The leak in a 24-inch-wide backup pipeline occurred on May 31. A section of pipe traveled downstream and now lies along the north bank of the Arkansas River.

Related: A company owned by Spectra faces opposition from Conway over plans to lease a pipeline.

The pipe will be cut into sections for safe removal, with some cuts made under water. Other cuts will take place once the pipe is raised onto a barge.

The U.S. Coast Guard reopened the closed section of the river on Friday.

(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, broadcast or distributed.)

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