(Sept. 13, 2006) -- BP says it's working in conjunction with federal, state and local officials to clean up a release" -- first detected on Sept. 8 -- "of approximately 1,000 barrels of refined product in a highly industrial area in the Port of Long Beach."

The company's news release was short on specifics...including exactly "what" and precisely "where"

The firm said the "leak has been contained and the released product is being cleaned up. There have been no injuries and no significant impact on the environment." It said the released product, which it identified only as "used in the production of transportation fuels," has been "captured within the industrial area near the terminal."

It added, "Locations for possible released product into the environment are being actively investigated. No product has been released into the ocean or its tributaries"...but it didn't give the specific location.

"BP has taken full responsibility for this release and its clean up," said Tim Hawkins, BP Pipelines District Manager. "On behalf of BP I want to say to the people and businesses of Long Beach that we deeply regret any inconvenience created by this incident."

The company said that on September 8, "a 12 inch underground pipeline carrying gas oil from the Port of Long Beach to the Carson refinery was shutdown when a leak was detected. Immediately following the incident, BP notified the US Coast Guard National Response Center, California Office of Emergency Services, the USCG Sector Los Angeles - Long Beach, the City of Long Beach, and other agencies to initiate a Unified Command. The product pipeline was in compliance with federal and state pipeline regulations at the time of the incident. BP will work with authorities to conduct a complete investigation into the incident."

BP said the incident "is not expected to have material impact on BP’s ability to supply customers with motor fuels."