A spill in the St. Clair River has been “contained,” according to Suncor.

The Sarnia oil refinery says a hydrocarbon sheen was identified on the watercourse around 6 p.m. Wednesday as part of the company’s “regular monitoring.”

A hydrocarbon sheen normally starts off as a black-brown tint from petroleum products — and is shiny or has an iridescent appearance on the surface of water.

In a statement, Suncor says the outlet of the release has been determined and contained.

“Suncor immediately deployed its response equipment including booms and vacuum equipment on the St. Clair River,” company spokesperson Christine Randall said.

“Clean up is underway, with support from Eastern Canada Response Corporation.

The size of the spill — and how long it was being discharged into the water — has yet to be released.

According to Randall, “appropriate” regulatory agencies and local community organizations have been notified. 

The Sarnia refinery has been in operation since 1952 — and can produce up roughly 85,000 barrels of crude oil per day.