The oil was leaked into the sea from a land-based pipeline belonging to Shell between Bukom Island (above) and Bukom Kecil. - PHOTO: ST FILE
SINGAPORE (AFP/Reuters): An oil pipeline belonging to British giant Shell began leaking into the sea on Sunday, Singaporean authorities said, adding that the spill was stopped and cleanup crews deployed.
The spill started early Sunday morning on a pipeline running between two islands, Bukom and Bukom Kecil, Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said in a statement.
"The leak was reported to have stopped at source," the MPA said. "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."
The authority said it also dispatched equipment and a team to help clear the fuel slick, and activated drones and satellite capabilities to monitor the spill.
"Relevant government agencies have been alerted and to report any oil sightings," it said, adding there had been "no new oil sightings" as of Sunday evening.
Shell operates a major oil refinery on Bukom. The company could not immediately be reached for comment on Sunday evening.
The MPA said it has issued "navigational safety broadcasts to ask passing vessels to keep clear of the site" although "there is no impact to navigation safety".
In June, Singapore closed beaches on the resort island of Sentosa after an oil spill caused by an accident at the Pasir Panjang port between a dredger and a stationary bunker vessel.
Clean-up of the affected beaches was completed last month.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported Shell and Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority deployed clean-up measures after a leak from a land-based pipeline, they said on Sunday.
The MPA said in a statement it was alerted at around 1 p.m. (0500 GMT) to the oil spill between Bukom and Bukom Kecil islands that had occurred at around 5.30am.
It said the leak was reported to have stopped at the source and there was no impact to navigation safety.
A Shell spokesperson confirmed the leak at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park and said emergency response specialists had been sent to manage the situation.
The MPA said Shell has placed containment booms off the site of the leak and deployed craft equipped with dispersants to clean up oil sighted in the vicinity.
The port authority also deployed seven of its vessels, as well as drones and satellites to help locate the oil spill, it said. - AFP/Reuters
