MPA deployed 7 MPA craft to spray dispersants. As at 6pm 20 Oct 2024, no new oil sightings were reported. From media reports as below.
No oil sightings arising from oil-releated incidents; Precautionary measures to stand down from today
MPA Joint Media Statement 30 Oct 2024
The clean-up of Shell’s leaked slop in the channel between Pulau Bukom and Bukom Kechil, including the cleaning of the oil-stained rock bunds and infrastructure, has been completed.
2. There have been no other oil sightings at sea and ashore since 20 October 2024 when Shell first reported the leak.
3. There are also no oil sightings arising from the separate oil overflow bunkering incident on 28 October off Changi.
4. All the seaward oil response assets deployed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) for both incidents will stand down today.
5. The containment and absorbent booms that were installed by government agencies at various locations as a precautionary measure since 20 October, will be removed progressively.
6. Investigations by the National Environment Agency and MPA into the leaked slop incident at Pulau Bukom are ongoing. MPA will also be investigating the Changi oil overflow bunkering incident.
Oil leak from Shell pipeline
SG Press Centre 20 Oct 2024
At about 1.00pm (SGT) today, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was alerted to an oil leakage from a Shell land-based pipeline between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil, which occurred at around 5.30am (SGT) on 20 October 2024. The leak was reported to have stopped at source.
2. Shell has placed containment booms off the site of the leak and has also deployed craft equipped with dispersants to clean up the oil sighted in the vicinity of the leak.
3. MPA has deployed 7 MPA craft equipped with dispersants together with craft from its contractor Singapore Salvage Engineers. MPA has also activated its drones and satellite capabilities to assist with the sighting of the oil spill. Relevant government agencies have been alerted and to report any oil sightings. There are no new oil sightings as at 6.00pm (SGT).
4. MPA’s Port Operations Control Centre has issued navigational safety broadcasts to ask passing vessels to keep clear of the site. There is no impact to navigation safety.
Oil spill containment measures activated after Shell pipeline leak off Singapore
Shell says the oil leak which occurred at about 5.30am was stopped at around 3pm.
Channel NewsAsia 20 Oct 2024
SINGAPORE: Oil spill containment measures were activated after a leak from a pipeline belonging to major energy company Shell occurred on Sunday (Oct 20) morning.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said on Sunday it was alerted to oil leakage from a Shell land-based pipeline between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil at about 1pm.
The leak occurred at around 5.30am and "was reported to have stopped at source", it said in a media statement on Sunday evening.
Shell said in response to CNA's queries that the oil leak at Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Singapore was stopped at around 3pm.
"Since late morning, oil sheens have been detected at the water channel between the Bukom Besar and Kechil islands.
"We have activated emergency response specialists to help manage the situation."
Shell has placed containment booms off the site of the leak and has also deployed craft equipped with dispersants to clean up the oil sighted in the vicinity of the leak, said MPA.
"MPA has deployed seven MPA craft equipped with dispersants together with craft from its contractor Singapore Salvage Engineers.
"MPA has also activated its drones and satellite capabilities to assist with the sighting of the oil spill."
MPA’s Port Operations Control Centre has issued navigational safety broadcasts to ask passing vessels to keep clear of the site, it added.
There is no impact to navigation safety, MPA said.
There are no injuries reported and we have informed the relevant authorities, said Shell.
"The health and safety of our people and the environment are our top priority as we work on resolving this as quickly as possible," it added.
Oil leaks into Singapore waters from Shell’s land-based pipeline joining Bukom islands
Fatimah Mujibah Straits Times 21 Oct 2024
SINGAPORE – An oil leak in the pre-dawn hours of Oct 20 from a Shell pipeline has affected waters off Singapore, said the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
The oil started leaking at around 5.30am from a land-based pipeline belonging to the British petrochemical company between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil, the authority said in a statement the same day.
MPA was alerted to the incident more than seven hours later at about 1pm. The leak was stopped at about 3pm, a Shell spokesperson said separately.
Shell said the oil “spilt into a holding area but some overflowed” into the water channel between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil, adding that it is still assessing the total volume spilt.
There were no new oil sightings as at 6pm, MPA added.
The Shell spokesperson said no injuries were reported, and that oil sheens have been detected in the water channel between the two islands since the late morning.
“We have activated emergency response specialists to help manage the situation,” the spokesperson said.
MPA, its contractor Singapore Salvage Engineers, and Shell have deployed boats to clean up the oil.
Also, Shell has placed containment booms off the site of the leak, while MPA has activated its drones and satellite capabilities to track the oil.
The relevant government agencies have been alerted and asked to report any oil sightings, the authority added.
Precautionary Measures Taken by Government Agencies
21 Oct 2024
JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT
Shell reported that an estimated 30 to 40 metric tonnes of slop, a mixture of oil and water, was leaked from its land-based pipeline into the water yesterday.
2. Agencies are working closely with Shell to clean up the leaked oil in the channel between Pulau Bukom and Bukom Kecil. As 21 October at 3 pm (Singapore Time), there are no other oil sightings.
3. As a precautionary measure, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has deployed a current buster system off Changi at the entrance to the East Johor Strait to collect oil slick, if sighted, and prevent potential spread beyond our port waters. Another current buster system has also been deployed to the west of Singapore, as a precautionary measure.
4. While no oil has been observed at Sentosa, Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, Labrador Nature Reserve, East Coast Park and West Coast Park so far, agencies have preemptively deployed oil absorbent booms to protect the three beaches and the biodiversity-sensitive 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. The lock gates of Sentosa Cove have been closed, with oil absorbent booms deployed. Additionally, deflective booms will be progressively deployed across the key areas of Sentosa, including the three beaches which currently remain open for land-based and waters activities.
5. To date there has been no oil sightings at Kusu, Seringat, St John’s, Lazarus island, and Pulau Hantu. Singapore Land Authority will continue to assess if oil-absorbent booms will be required at the lagoons of these islands.
6. As a precautionary measure, the National Environment Agency has advised the public against swimming and conducting other primary contact water activities at the beaches at East Coast Park, Kusu, St John’s, and Lazarus island. Information on water quality at these beaches is available at https://go.gov.sg/beach-water-info.
7. PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, is closely monitoring the seawater intake at its desalination plants. No oil has been detected near the Jurong Island Desalination Plant and Marina East Desalination Plant, which are located nearest to the oil leak location. Seawater quality readings remain normal, and the plants’ operations are not affected. As a precautionary measure, PUB has also deployed oil containment booms across Marina Barrage.
8. JTC has advised companies on Jurong Island and waterfront-facing companies in the western region to be on alert and to take precautionary measures as necessary.
9. To date, there has been no reports of fish farms being affected by the leak. Nonetheless, Singapore Food Agency is in contact with our farmers and has advised them to continue to be vigilant and to take precautionary measures as necessary.
10. Businesses which have claims-related queries arising from this oil leakage can contact Shell appointed administrator at +65 6632 8689 (during office hours: 9:00am – 5:30pm) or email shell_claims@crawford.asia.
11. We have informed the Indonesian and Malaysian authorities of the incident and advised them to look out for any oil sightings along their respective coastlines.
12. Investigations into the incident are currently ongoing.
Singapore agencies working with Shell to clean up 30 to 40 metric tonnes of 'slop' that leaked into sea
Channel News Asia 21 Oct 2024
SINGAPORE: Singapore agencies said on Monday (Oct 21) they are working closely with British petrochemical company Shell to clean up a mixture of oil and water that leaked into the sea between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil.
Shell had said in a media statement on Monday evening that about 30 to 40 metric tonnes of “slop” was on Sunday leaked from its land-based pipeline into the water.
The company said it is “actively working with all relevant authorities to manage the clean-up effort”.
“The leak has stopped since around 3pm yesterday. We have deployed containment booms, anti-pollution crafts and spraying of dispersant to contain and break up the oil as part of ongoing clean-up effort,” Shell added.
“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 authorities and our communities as we work diligently to minimise the impact.”
In a joint media statement on Monday evening, the agencies said that as of 3pm, there were no other oil sightings besides the leaked oil in the channel between Pulau Bukom and Bukom Kecil.
The joint statement was issued by Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), National Environment Agency (NEA), National Parks Board (NParks), PUB, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), Singapore Food Agency (SFA), Singapore Land Authority (SLA), JTC, and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).
As a precautionary measure, a current buster system was deployed by the MPA off Changi at the entrance to the East Johor Strait to collect oil slick, if sighted, and prevent potential spread beyond Singapore’s port waters, according to the statement.
Another current buster system has also been deployed to the west of Singapore “as a precautionary measure”, it added.
While no oil has been observed at Sentosa, Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, Labrador Nature Reserve, East Coast Park and West Coast Park so far, the agencies have pre-emptively deployed oil absorbent booms at these locations.
This includes 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.
The lock gates of Sentosa Cove have been closed, with oil absorbent booms deployed.
“Additionally, deflective booms will be progressively deployed across the key areas of Sentosa, including the three beaches which currently remain open for land-based and waters activities.”
The agencies also said there has been no oil sightings at Kusu, Seringat, St John’s, Lazarus island, and Pulau Hantu.
“Singapore Land Authority will continue to assess if oil-absorbent booms will be required at the lagoons of these islands,” the statement read.
NEA on Monday has also advised members of the public against swimming and other primary contact water activities at the beaches of East Coast Park, Kusu, St John’s and Lazarus islands as a "precautionary measure".
No oil has been detected near the Jurong Island Desalination Plant and Marina East Desalination Plant, which are located nearest to the oil leak location. National water agency PUB is closely monitoring the seawater intake at its desalination plants.
“Seawater quality readings remain normal, and the plants’ operations are not affected. As a precautionary measure, PUB has also deployed oil containment booms across Marina Barrage,” the statement said.
JTC has advised companies on Jurong Island and waterfront-facing companies in the western region to be on alert and to take precautionary measures as necessary.
No fish farms have been affected by the oil spill thus far. SFA is in contact with farmers and has advised them to continue to be vigilant and to take precautionary measures as necessary.
“We have informed the Indonesian and Malaysian authorities of the incident and advised them to look out for any oil sightings along their respective coastlines,” the joint statement read.
“Investigations into the incident are currently ongoing.”
In a Facebook post on Monday evening, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said the ministry and its statutory boards are working closely with relevant agencies to ensure public health and safety.
"We will continue to monitor the situation and share updates as needed," Ms Fu said.
MPA said on Sunday it was alerted to oil leakage from a Shell land-based pipeline between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil at about 1pm.
The leak occurred at around 5.30am and "was reported to have stopped at source", it added.
Shell oil leak: Govt agencies adopt measures after 30 tonnes of ‘slop’ leaked into sea
Fatimah Mujibah Straits Times 21 Oct 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.
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 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.
Agencies Continue to Monitor for Oil Sightings
MPA 22 Oct 2024
The clean-up of oil in the channel between Pulau Bukom and Bukom Kechil is progressing. The clearing of the remaining trapped oil within the containment booms in the channel and the cleaning of the stained rock bunds and infrastructure are targeted to be completed in the coming days.
2. There are no other oil sightings at sea and ashore as at 3pm (Singapore time).
3. National water agency PUB continues to monitor the seawater intakes at its desalination plants. Seawater quality readings remain normal.
4. There are no reports of fish farms being affected by the oil leak.
5. Agencies will continue to monitor for oil sightings.
Oil pipeline leak: Clean-up targeted to be competed in 'coming days
Ng Hong Siang Channel NewsAsia 22 Oct 2024 07:28PM
SINGAPORE: Clean-up operations following the oil leak from a Shell pipeline are targeted to be completed in the "coming days", the authorities said on Tuesday (Oct 22).
There have also been no other oil sightings at sea or ashore as of 3pm.
In an update on the situation, Singapore agencies said in a joint statement that the clean-up of oil in the channel between Pulau Bukom and Bukom Kechil was progressing.
"The clearing of the remaining trapped oil within the containment booms in the channel and the cleaning of the stained rock bunds and infrastructure are targeted to be completed in the coming days."
Oil spill containment measures were activated after leakage from a Shell land-based pipeline between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil on Sunday.
Shell said on Monday that about 30 to 40 metric tonnes of "slop" - a mixture of oil and water - had leaked into the sea.
"We have deployed containment booms, anti-pollution crafts and spraying of dispersant to contain and break up the oil as part of ongoing clean-up effort," said the company.
The joint statement on Tuesday said national water agency PUB will continue to monitor seawater intakes at its desalination plants.
Seawater quality readings remain normal, the authorities added.
"There are no reports of fish farms being affected by the oil leak. Agencies will continue to monitor for oil sightings."
The joint statement was issued by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), National Environment Agency (NEA), National Parks Board (NParks), PUB, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), Singapore Food Agency (SFA), Singapore Land Authority (SLA), JTC, and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).