October 22, 2024
SINGAPORE – More than 30 tonnes of “slop” – a mixture of oil and water – leaked into the sea between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil early on Oct 20, said British petrochemical company Shell, as government agencies announced precautionary measures to detect and contain any slick.
In a statement on Oct 21, Shell said it was “actively working with all relevant authorities to manage the clean-up effort”, following an oil leak from a land-based pipeline.
The leak stopped at around 3pm on Oct 20, said the company, which said that approximately 30 to 40 tonnes of slop leaked into the sea.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety of people and to limit environmental impact as we work on resolving this as quickly as possible.
“We appreciate the support and cooperation from the authorities and our communities as we work diligently to minimise the impact,” said Shell, adding that more information will be released soon.
It added that it has deployed containment booms and anti-pollution craft, and was spraying dispersant to contain and break up the oil as part of the ongoing clean-up effort.
In a joint statement on Oct 21, eight government agencies said they were working closely with Shell to clean up the leaked oil.
Beachgoers at Siloso beach at 12pm on Oct 21. The oil spill did not affect the beaches at Sentosa. PHOTO: THE STRAITS TIMES
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) deployed a Current Buster system off Changi at the entrance to the East Johor Strait to collect oil slicks, if sighted, and prevent potential spread beyond port waters.
Another Current Buster system, which scoops seawater in affected areas and sieves out oil, was deployed to the west of Singapore.
The oil started leaking at around 5.30am on Oct 20 from a land-based pipeline belonging to Shell and “spilt into a holding area but some overflowed” into the water channel between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil.
MPA was alerted to the incident more than seven hours later, at about 1pm. There were no other oil sightings as at 3pm on Oct 20, said the agencies.
The National Environment Agency earlier on Oct 21 advised the public to avoid swimming and other primary contact water activities near the beaches of East Coast Park, Kusu Island, St John’s Island and Lazarus Island.
This is despite no oil sightings at these islands, as well as Pulau Hantu and Seringat Island, according to the joint statement.
The Singapore Land Authority will continue to assess if oil-absorbent booms will be required at the lagoons of these islands.
Primary contact water activities are those where a person’s whole body or face and trunk are frequently immersed, or where it is likely that some water will be swallowed. These activities include swimming, wakeboarding and jet skiing.
The National Environment Agency has advised the public to avoid swimming and other primary contact water activities near affected areas. PHOTO: THE STRAITS TIMES
The public may still continue with land-based and water activities at Tanjong Beach, Palawan Beach and Siloso Beach on Sentosa. Deflective booms will be progressively deployed across key areas of the island, including the three beaches.
The lock gates of Sentosa Cove have been closed, with oil-absorbent booms also deployed.
JTC Corporation has advised companies on Jurong Island and waterfront-facing companies in the western region to be on alert and to take precautionary measures.
There have been no reports of fish farms being affected by the leak, with the Singapore Food Agency in contact with farmers.
The authorities added that they have informed the Indonesian and Malaysian authorities of the incident and advised them to look out for any oil sightings along their respective coastlines.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
GRAPHICS: THE STRAITS TIMES