HOUSTON -- The standoff between anti-oil-sands activists and Canadian pipeline company TransCanada Corp. has intensified, as protesters allege the use of brutal tactics as the "tree sit" demonstration against the Keystone XL pipeline enters its fifth day.

Meanwhile, TransCanada is pursuing restraining orders against the activists involved in the protest, aimed at construction of the southern leg of the pipeline near Winnsboro, Texas.

The group behind the protest, Tar Sands Blockade, says northeast Texas law enforcement used heavy-handed tactics to remove two blockade members from heavy machinery that they had chained themselves to. One person involved was injured in the incident and is seeking medical attention, according to a spokesman for the group.

They also allege that a TransCanada supervisor encouraged police to use brute force against the two activists. TransCanada denies the charge, insisting that its crew members are not involving themselves in any way with law enforcement efforts other than to issue complaints against the protesters for trespassing.

David Dodson, a TransCanada spokesman in Houston, said the activists have their facts completely wrong. TransCanada employees did not direct the local sheriff's office in their police work, he said.

"I can safely categorically deny that," Dodson said. "Absolutely untrue."

Nine members of the blockade movement earlier this week settled into a tree camp 80 feet up into the canopy of some woods that contractors are attempting to clear to make way for the southern leg of the pipeline (EnergyWire, Sept. 25).

Ramsey Sprague, who is coordinating media communications for Tar Sands Blockade, reported late yesterday that the tree camp near Winnsboro remains in place and will stay there indefinitely until construction on Keystone XL ends.

The oil and gas industry is eagerly awaiting the southern extension of Keystone XL, which would alleviate a backlog of crude oil storage at Cushing, Okla., by providing another option for oil transportation to Houston-area refineries. Opponents of the line say it will encourage further development of the Canadian oil sands, thereby exacerbating climate change.

"At the moment, they're clearing between our tree sit and the highway, with backhoes and chainsaws, and that's to be expected," Sprague said. "They haven't moved in on the tree sit as of today."

It is unclear just how many individuals are involving themselves in direct civil disobedience against the Keystone XL construction. The company estimated around 40 so far, while Tar Sands Blockade declined to give a specific number.

Sprague also described what happened to his colleagues during an encounter with police at a second location nearby. The two secured themselves to machinery by locking arms together inside a heavy V-shaped pipe.

He said the police used Tasers on the two until they relented and ended their five-hour protest.

"They were handcuffed behind the back, elevated to the platform, where they were in an extreme stress position while they were locked together with a metal pipe," Sprague said. "The metal was used to twist their arm, and then pepper spray was poured down the pipe, or sprayed into the pipe on both ends, and then they were repeatedly tased."

The Wood County Sheriff's Office did not respond to a request for information or comment.

A TransCanada supervisor at the scene encouraged the police to use aggressive tactics to remove the two protesters, Tar Sands Blockade members allege. Chains inside the pipe restricted the flow of blood to the protesters' hands, they said, and one will seek medical help for acute pain to her wrist that resulted from the ordeal.

The organizers of the protest say they are preparing a major media blitz beginning next week, enlisting the support of other groups opposed to the Keystone XL pipeline and the oil sands projects. Efforts will include encouraging supporters to flood TransCanada CEO Russell Girling with phone calls, emails and petitions.

"We are making a big media splash by calling them out for having their TransCanada supervisor encourage the torture of two of our blockaders," Sprague said.

Dodson insisted that his company's order for all workers and contractors on the ground is to do everything possible to avoid injuring any of the protesters. The group has only itself to blame for any risks its members may face, he added.

"We have lawful entry rights to that property; they do not," Dodson said. "The last thing in the world we want to do is hurt anybody, including these activists, but let's be clear: They're placing themselves in harm's way to provoke an incident, and we're not going to allow that to happen. We're not going to be provoked."

The group says a hearing is scheduled for Oct. 11 in Franklin County court concerning an earlier incident when five protesters were arrested for trespassing. The hearing will determine whether an injunction against the members of the blockade effort can be issued.