By Yereth Ros

ANCHORAGE (Reuters) – An oil leakage that lasted for days forced the partial evacuation of one of North Slope’s largest oil fields. Local media reported Tuesday that one official said the gas was still leaking.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported that the leak occurred at ConocoPhillips (NYSE)’ Alpine oilfield, which was one of largest on North Slope.

Rosemary Ahtuangaruak was mayor of Nuiqsut. She is an Inupiat village located seven miles from the oilfield. She said that it was not known if the gas is affecting the approximately 450-person village.

According to the newspaper, ConocoPhillips has evacuated workers not required at the Alpine Central Facility and on the drill site.

An official stated that the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is currently monitoring the situation and ConocoPhillips has responded.

“Based on its investigation thus far, the Commission has not identified any public safety threats,” Jeremy Price, Chairman of the Commission, stated in a statement. The commission cannot comment further due to an open investigation.

ConocoPhillips didn’t respond to inquiries Tuesday afternoon.

Ahtuangaruak stated that residents in Nuiqsut are still uneasy, despite official assurances. Ahtuangaruak stated that community members have complained of smelling gas in their communities since Friday.

Ahtuangaruak explained that Nuiqsut has been influenced heavily by oil production, which raises long-term concerns about the air quality. She said that there were “gains” and losses in efforts by local authorities to reduce air pollution over the years.

According to the mayor, residents in Nuiqsut can be exposed to pollution because of a range of factors. These include previous tuberculosis epidemics and other disease that weaken the respiratory system, as well as poor housing conditions with low indoor air quality.