SINGAPORE – Shell has taken proactive measures by shutting down one of its oil processing units on Pulau Bukom to investigate a suspected leak. The company has informed the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the National Environment Agency (NEA), according to a joint statement released on 27 December 2024.
Details of the Leak
The affected oil processing unit, part of Shell’s Energy and Chemical Parks, is responsible for producing key refined oil products like diesel. Initial estimates suggest that a few tonnes of refined oil products were leaked, along with the cooling water discharge used in the production process.
Containment Efforts
- Shell has implemented containment and absorbent booms in the affected area.
- Dispersants have been sprayed in the channel where cooling water is discharged.
- The built-in oil skimmer system is now operational.
Fortunately, no significant oil patches have been observed in the vicinity of Pulau Bukom. MPA and Shell have also deployed cleaning boats to address light oil sheens detected offshore, utilising both dispersants and absorbent booms.
Monitoring and Precautions
Agencies are closely monitoring the situation, employing satellites and drones for real-time surveillance. As a precautionary measure, oil absorbent booms are being laid at Sisters’ Islands Marine Park and on Sentosa’s beaches.
Navigational Traffic Unaffected
Importantly, navigational traffic in the area remains unaffected and there’s no disruption to bunkering operations at the Port of Singapore. NEA is conducting a thorough investigation alongside MPA and has assured that they will take enforcement action if any lapses are found.
Recent Similar Incidents
This leak follows another incident on 20 October 2024, where over 30 tonnes of slop — a mixture of oil and water — leaked into the sea from a land-based Shell pipeline. The agencies had their hands full, responding to this earlier breach which sparked significant concerns.
Earlier in 2024, Singapore faced its worst oil spill in a decade, where over 400 tonnes of oil leaked into surrounding waters. That incident prompted an extensive clean-up operation involving thousands of personnel and volunteers.