The Alberta Energy Regulator says a pipeline leak in northwestern Alberta has spilled 380,000 litres of light petroleum into a creek within five kilometres of a core grizzly bear protection area in the northwestern part of the province.

The provincial agency says cleanup personnel are at the site, about 65 kilometres northeast of Grand Cache, and that the pipeline has been shut down.

The regulator said Tuesday that no cause has been established and an investigation is underway.

It says condensate, a liquid produced with natural gas, was visible as a sheen on the surface of the unnamed creek for about 4.5 kilometres below the leak. The creek flows into the Simonette River, but the AER said the sheen was not visible on the river.

The regulator said in a news release it has issued an environmental protection order to producer ConocoPhillips Canada, which reported the spill last Thursday afternoon.

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The order directs the company to contain the release and prevent it from spreading, while controlling access, collecting water and soil samples and submitting a final report to the AER.