Second Oil Leak In 3 Months Detected At Shell’s Pulau Bukom Refinery In Singapore

An oil spill was detected at Shell’s Pulau Bukom refinery in Singapore on December 27, making it the second such incident at the facility in three months.

The leak occurred from an oil processing unit that produces diesel and other refined products.

Shell reported that the leak involved several tonnes of refined oil products that were released into the sea through the cooling water system.

This system uses seawater to cool the oil products as part of the refining process. Oil sheens were spotted near a wharf at the Shell Energy and Chemical Park on Pulau Bukom.

As soon as the leak was noticed, Shell shut down the affected oil processing unit and activated emergency response teams.

The company deployed containment booms, absorbent booms, and sprayed dispersants to manage the spill. Additionally, the built-in skimmer system in the cooling water discharge channel was turned on to help recover the oil.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) along with the National Environment Agency (NEA) and other local agencies, also helped with the cleanup.

Response boats were sent to clean up the oil sheens spotted near the refinery, while drones and satellites were used to monitor the situation from above.

Though no oil slicks were observed at nearby beaches, as a precaution, absorbent booms were deployed at Sisters’ Islands Marine Park and Sentosa’s beaches.

Fortunately, no slicks reached these areas, and the beaches remained open for public use.

By December 28, Shell confirmed that the leak had been contained, and no more oil was entering the water. The company also confirmed that the investigation into the cause of the leak was underway.

The leak was first spotted on December 26 at around 9:30 am and by 11:58 a.m., Shell reported it to the MPA.

By 12:15 pm, MPA’s response crew had reached the site to assess the situation. Initial reports showed that the spill was minor and posed no risk to public safety or sensitive environmental areas.

This oil leak incident follows a similar spill just three months ago at the same refinery. On October 20, 2024, a land-based pipeline between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil leaked 30 to 40 tonnes of oil and water into the sea.

That spill was container quickly, but Shell faced criticism for delaying the notification of the leak to authorities by more than seven hours.

After the incident, the NEA ordered Shell to carry out an integrity check on its pipeline system at the refinery.

Shell’s Pulau Bukom refinery is its largest wholly-owned refining complex in Asia, and the company has said that the safety of its employees and the environment is its top priority.

Shell is cooperating with authorities to find the cause of both the recent leak and the October spill to avoid further incidents.

NEA is investigating both the leaks and regulatory action may be taken if any violations are found.

Reference: channelnewsasia

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