'Oil layer covers the entire visible surface of the water within a radius of 10-15 metres.' Picture: N1

The discovery by a local resident was highlighted by local NI channel.

Reporter Konstantin Scherbina, at the scene, said: 'In the middle of the oily lake is sticking a valve.

'Oil layer covers the entire visible surface of the water within a radius of 10-15 metres.

'Along the way, right on the surface lies a pipe, presumably the pipeline.

'The oil spills extend approximately 100-150 metres from the valve along the road in both directions.'

'The oil spills extend approximately 100-150 metres from the valve along the road in both directions.' Pictures here and below: N1

Some 200 metres away is another spill - 'the size of a small football field'.

The reporter ignited a piece of paper dipped in the oil, to show on camera how it burned.

It was unclear which oil company owned the 'rusty' pipeline, or what had happened to cause the seepage.

The leak follows another spill close to Nefteyugansk, a city of 123,000, when oil seeped into floodwater from the Ob River.