Canada’s Imperial Oil Ltd. is temporarily shutting down its 220,000 b/d Kearl oilsands site while Inter Pipeline Ltd. repairs a leak that interrupted flows of gasoline-like condensate used as thinner for bitumen shipments from the mine.

The release, detected over the weekend, affects the northeastern Alberta leg of a 238,000 b/d Inter Pipeline conduit called Polaris, between the oilsands region and Edmonton-area supply and delivery hubs. An estimated 550 bbl of condensate spilled before the leak was detected and stopped. No injuries or harm to northern residents or wildlife were reported, and environmental protection efforts were underway.

Imperial and Inter Pipeline declined to estimate a return to service. However, Imperial indicated its facilities remain “ready to ramp up...