Oil spill Southampton Water

C2 RIBS · 21 June 2010, 18:58

Quick heads up for Solent users-A clean up operation is underway today after an oil spill at Hampshire's Fawley refinery.
The environment Agency has been called in after it was revealed around 20 barrels had been leaked from a shore-side pipeline at Esso's Marine Terminal.
A pre-planned "tier two" response has been set in motion and special booms and absorbent pads have been deployed in a bid to contain the spill.
But despite those measures traces of the refined product - in the form of a sheen of oil - have already been discovered on the shore between Warsash and Solent Breeze.
Around 3 cubic meters of heavy vacuum gas oil spilled out at around 9.20pm last night (Sunday).
An Esso spokesman said: "The incident happened whilst a ship was being unloaded. The offloading was immediately stopped and the pipeline valve closed.
"We are collecting any residual oil from the leak site until the pipe can be drained completely, The exact amount of spillage is being assessed. We immediately deployed our local oil spill response procedures and informed the Harbour Master and the relevant environmental agencies.
"Booms were deployed to contain the spill within the vicinity of the Marine Terminal and all efforts are being made to recover and disperse the oil as soon as possible.
"Checks were immediately conducted around the shoreline of Southampton Water and into the Solent and further checks will be taking place throughout the day. "We regret to report that some oil was found on the shore at Warsash and we have informed Fareham Borough Council of the situation. Arrangements are currently underway to initiate a clean up.
"We continue to work with the Harbour Master and are diligently checking surrounding areas."
Specialist response teams have been called in by both Esso and VTS in Southampton.
Any members of the community with concerns should telephone Fawley Refinery Community Affairs on 023 8089 2511.

Stephen-RIB · 21 June 2010, 19:27

Quick, someone call Obama so that he can destroy Esso as well!

Andy B · 21 June 2010, 19:37

Hang on!
BP chief Tony Hayward was in the Solent sailing this weekend.........
i smell a rat.

gotchiguy · 21 June 2010, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy b

hang on!
Bp chief tony hayward was in the solent sailing this weekend.........
I smell a rat.

lol

Zippy · 21 June 2010, 20:55

now i was going to take a quick blast out tomorrow night. what damage would the oil do to my engine cooling?

Tim M · 21 June 2010, 21:39

Given its a very small amount in a large area, and given that oil floats and your outboard sucks water in from about two ft under the surface of the water, nothing!

John Kennett · 21 June 2010, 22:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by C2 RIBS

A clean up operation is underway today after an oil spill at Hampshire's Fawley refinery.

I saw that when I was out with Neil Holmes today and assumed that it was an exercise. Lot's of booms out, and tugs spraying water with their fire hoses (why?). Didn't notice the oil, but was rather busy concentrating on where I was going!

Nos4r2 · 21 June 2010, 22:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

tugs spraying water with their fire hoses (why?).

If it's wet, it's harder to get a spark.

spartacus · 21 June 2010, 22:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

I saw that when I was out with Neil Holmes today and assumed that it was an exercise. Lot's of booms out, and tugs spraying water with their fire hoses (why?). Didn't notice the oil, but was rather busy concentrating on where I was going!

I assume just to speed up the dispersal of the oil on the surface. Esso will have wanted it dealt with quickly.

Just started to get reports about the BP accident - that Transocean were aware of the fault on the riser days prior to the failure. It would have cost them £0.5m a day to shut down production to repair. False accounting and no mistake.

Nos4r2 · 21 June 2010, 22:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by spartacus

I assume just to speed up the dispersal of the oil on the surface. Esso will have wanted it dealt with quickly.

Just started to get reports about the BP accident - that Transocean were aware of the fault on the riser days prior to the failure. It would have cost them £0.5m a day to shut down production to repair. False accounting and no mistake.

Does that mean it's Transocean or BP's fault then?

BogMonster · 22 June 2010, 01:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Does that mean it's Transocean or BP's fault then?

Many lawyers will get rich answering that question, you can be sure of that

Ultimately the operator (BP) carries the can for decisions made but the costs will (might / should) be apportioned according to the interest in the well which is BP 65% Anadarko 25% and somebody else who escapes me at the moment had the other 10%. Some or all of them will then probably try and sue the ass off the various contractors like Transocean (rig owners), Halliburton (cement), and Cameron the fellas that made the BOP that didn't. I bet that one gets torn apart when they eventually get it back, to find out what went wrong. The only people who will gain out of it will be lawyers and all the folks that make bogus claims - you can bet there will be some of those with $20bn up for grabs...

The letter written to Tony Wayward about a week ago, by the US inquiry, is worth a read, if all the accusations made in that are true then somebody is gonna hang...

Alan · 22 June 2010, 18:12

Ohh, it's BP that are going to carry the (oil) can on this one, be in no doubt about that. Informed discussion here: www.theoildrum.com . Also, live feeds from all the ROV's at the blowout here: http://mxl.fi/bpfeeds2/

jake 4589 · 22 June 2010, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by spartacus

I assume just to speed up the dispersal of the oil on the surface. Esso will have wanted it dealt with quickly.

The spray most likely contained detergents as this breaks down oil based compounds (think washing up liquid on greasy dishes). Water on its own would do very little as it doesnt mix with oil

Jake