A section of a Paramount Resources Ltd. oil-field pipeline in Alberta needs to be replaced after an attempt to dig up the pipe, an act that authorities labeled as "mischief" and that police estimated caused C$500,000 to C$700,000 in damage, Reuters reported Jan. 16.

The culprits were said to have used construction equipment on site, the report said, citing the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The motives for the incident were unknown. The breach reportedly occurred late Jan. 14.

There was no leak, as the pipeline is not yet operational, Reuters reported. The site, near Edmonton, did not have any security personnel at the time of the incident, which is still under investigation.

The incident may cause a delay in the pipeline construction, according to Darrel Purdy, Paramount Resources' corporate operating officer. The company will assign security personnel on site at night, even when there is no construction going on, Purdy added.