A clean-up operation is underway after around 200 barrels of oily fluid escaped into Poole Harbour in Dorset, sparking a major incident response.
The oil leak, under Owers Bay on Sunday, saw reservoir fluid - consisting of 85 per cent water and 15 per cent oil - issue into the water from a pipeline operated by gas company Perenco, at Europe’s largest onshore oil field, Wytch Farm.
The leaked oil is now being cleared, and as of late Sunday night, Wytch Farm operator Perenco said some of it had already been recovered.
Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC), which regulates activities on the harbour, said “early indicators are that the surface slick is already dispersing”.
It added that Perenco had reported “no risk” of further leakage after the pipeline was shut down and booms were placed on either side of the leak to minimise pollution.
A further assessment will be made early on Monday morning regarding the clean-up operation, PHC said.
The public is being urged to avoid using the water and beaches in Poole Harbour, while anyone who came into contact with the spill was urged “wash immediately with soap and water”.
Perenco says one barrel contains 158 litres or 35 gallons.
The MP for Poole, Sir Robert Syms, said he and neighbouring South Dorset MP Richard Drax have requested the Government to take an urgent question in the Commons on Monday about the incident.
According to Poole Tourism, Poole is Europe’s largest natural harbour and a site of nature conservation, with many international protections in place.
The harbour is also a Ramsar site which recognises wetlands of international importance, particularly for wildfoul, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) and a Special Protection Area (SPA).
Franck Dy, Perenco UK’s Wytch Farm general manager, said: “Any spill is an extremely serious matter and a full investigation will be launched to ascertain what happened in Poole Harbour.
Poole Harbour Commissioners Press Release No.2 - 26 March 2023 - 20.00 pic.twitter.com/etIWdHBuUW
— PHC (@PooleHarbourC) March 26, 2023
“It is important to stress that the situation is under control, with the discharge of fluids having been stopped and the spill is being contained.”
Philip Broadhead, the leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, said in a statement: “The Wytch Farm oil field in the Purbecks has been operating since 1979 and is one of the largest onshore oil fields in Europe.
“We have today been advised by the operators that there has been a leak from the facility. Whilst this has been contained, we are told that oil has escaped into the water and surrounding area.
“We are liaising closely as part of long-established mechanisms with a variety of parties as this situation unfolds.”
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We have received reports of a large amount of oil in Poole Harbour and we are supporting the port authority and other partners in responding to this incident.”
