Shell says 30-40 metric tonnes of ‘slop’ has leaked into Singapore waters following an oil leak at a land-based pipeline.
The slop – a mixture of oil and water – started leaking into the sea between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil at 5.30am on Sunday (20 October) – the leak was stopped at 3pm that same day.
Shell are using containment booms, anti-pollution crafts, and spraying of dispersant to contain and break up the oil as part of on-going clean-up effort.
Government agencies are working to detect and contain any slick.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has deployed a current buster system off Changi at the entrance to the East Johor Strait. This is to collect any oil slick and prevent ‘potential spread’ beyond port waters.
Oil absorbent booms are also being used to protect the beaches and coastlines on Sentosa, the lagoons at Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, Berlayer Creek and the Rocky Shore at Labrador Nature Reserve, as well as the mangroves and other key areas at the Marsh Garden at West Coast Park, as well as key areas at East Coast Park, according to a statement by MPA.
As of yesterday (21 October) no signs of oil have been detected at any of Sentosa’s beaches which currently remain open for all water activities.
However, the National Environment Agency has issued an advisory against swimming and other water activities at the beaches at East Coast Park, Kusu, St John’s and Lazarus island.
Singapore’s national water agency PUB has been ‘closely monitoring the seawater intakes’ at desalination plants near Jurong Island and Marina East. No oil has been detected, as of Monday.
“As a precautionary measure, PUB has also deployed oil containment booms across the Marina Barrage, which separates the sea from Marina Reservoir,” said PUB.
Shell has advised any businesses which have claims-related queries arising from the oil leak to contact them directly.
