News / Oil spill pollutes beach outside terminal
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into an oil spill outside the Sullom Voe Terminal in Shetland on Thursday evening.
Oil company BP, which runs the facility, said on Friday that between 100 and 150 litres of stabilised crude oil had escaped through a storm drain onto the beach outside the terminal’s main entrance near the construction jetty.
Sources close to the site said that the oil had passed from a “dirty drain” into a “clean drain” and the investigation will focus on how that happened.
Staff from the company have been busy collecting contaminated shingle and disposing of it in skips. Very little of the oil is thought to have entered the sea.
BP said the spill occurred at around 5.45pm on Thursday.
In a statement, they said: “The oil has been contained and clean up operations are being carried out by the terminal’s emergency response teams in liaison with Shetland Islands Council marine operations.
“It is expected that the bulk of the clean-up operation will be completed today (Friday).” Cargo loading and production at Sullom Voe has been unaffected by the incident, the company said.
Stabilised crude oil has had the hydrogen sulphide gas removed to make it safe for export on board tankers.
The Lerwick office of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency was informed of the incident and staff have been to inspect the site.
In February 2010 BP were found not guilty of being responsible for oily water being released into the sea after a trial at Lerwick Sheriff Court following a prosecution brought by SEPA.
A SEPA spokesman said they would await the outcome of BP’s report into this week’s incident before deciding whether to take the matter further.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.