A total of 31,000 litres of liquid were recovered overnight and “good progress” is being made after reservoir fluids leaked five days ago from a Perenco-operated oil pipeline under Ower Bay in Dorset.
SURVEILLANCE
Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) is leading the operations following the spillage of 200 barrels of liquid.
The French oil and gas company has been extracting hydrocarbons from nearby Wytch Farm since it assumed operations in 2011.
PHC chief executive Jim Stewart added that the trust had to date received a total of 327 survey reports, while aircraft and drone surveillance continues.
Four containment booms along with absorbent booms were “proving effective” in the containing the escaped oil.
MAIN FOCUS
PHC is working with an environmental team including the Environment Agency and Natural England on the most effective strategy, and oil spill pollution companies have also joined the operation.
“There are few areas in the harbour that have a light sheen which, where possible, can be absorbed or will naturally disperse,” said Mr Stewart.
“The main focus remains around the site of the leak in Ower Bay, however clean up teams are being sent to other parts of the Harbour as and when oil has been identified.
“Further meetings are taking place today in Poole Harbour’s Emergency Response Centre in order to ensure that the operation is as effective as possible and that up to date information is made available to the relevant authorities who are assisting with the incident.”
Operators in the shellfish industry are advised not to market shellfish harvested from Poole Harbour from Sunday 26 March onwards, pending regulatory and safety advice.
People are still advised to avoid using the beaches and taking pets to the water.
Poole Harbour Commissioners is a trust which is an independent statutory body governed by legislation.