Esso expects to spend around $1 million this year to repair a worn pipeline that has leaked three times.

A passerby spotted a leak in the eight-mile-long pipeline which runs from the old railway right of way to Martello Tower in Ferry Reach last week.

It was the third leak from the pipe since last year.

Esso general manager Mark Fields said the line is old and that the company has been aware of the need to replace it since last year.

However, the equipment needed to repair the line, which transfers fuel to Belco, will not be on the Island for another six weeks.

He also said the normal procedure when such events occur is to contact the Permanent Secretary for the Environment so they can conduct an inspection and review the company's remediation plans.

A Government spokesperson noted that the Department of Environmental Protection deals with marine pollution while the leak was entirely on land.

However she noted: “Esso has dealt with it completely.”

Mr. Fields said: “We discovered there was a pinhole leak.

It was discovered on Wednesday and repaired by the following morning.

He said there would be no disruption to the transfer of fuel to Belco because Belco would be full with fuel for up to ten days.

He also said: “We were alerted to it by a passer by but we do regular walks on the pipeline and inspect it.”

Efforts to replace the piping will begin during the third week in September.