Crude Oil Spill Reported In Thailand’s Koh Sichang

SEATTLE (Oil Monster): Relevant Authorities are trying their best to clean up an oil leak after a pipe ruptured when a Greek VLCC was discharging its cargo.

The incident occurred on the evening of Sunday at the oil facility in Koh Sichang.

Deputy Director General of the marine department, Puripat Teerakunpisut, told the media that the oil spill happened when the 317,000 DWT Panama flagged Kallista, constructed in 2010, was unloading crude into the main pipeline.

Arab light oil was being discharged using a single mooring buoy No. 2 when the leak happened. It lasted for 5 minutes, and around 60,000 litres of crude emptied into the sea.

The tanker had 273,000 tonnes of crude and came from Ras Tanura in Saudi Arabia. It remained moored on the site on Tuesday as well.

A prevention and mitigation centre was formed by the pollution control department and the marine department to handle the drifting slick.

After the issue was spotted, the pipeline valve was shit and booms were laid to contain the spill.

Per reports, a 5 km slick has been detected. On Monday morning, a drone was flown over the area, and a report was made on the basis of observations. A Dispersant was employed to break up the oil.

Also, water samples were taken and sent for analysis regarding the incident’s environmental impact.

Thai Oil stated that it took immediate action, and the company has opened an investigation into the same.
It also mentioned that the spill did not hamper operations at the refinery, and all costs would be covered by the firm’s insurance.

Courtesy: www.marineinsight.com