Poole Harbour

The leak stemmed from a pipeline operated by independent oil and gas company Perenco at Owers Bay, part of the Wytch Farm oil field, one of the largest.

Statutory body Poole Harbour Commissioners activated its emergency oil spill plan yesterday and oil spill response companies are assisting with the operation. The leak stemmed from a pipeline operated by independent oil and gas company Perenco at Owers Bay, part of the Wytch Farm oil field, one of the largest onshore oil fields in Europe. An investigation is to be launched after a major incident was declared in Poole Harbour, Dorset, due to an oil leak yesterday, 26 March.

Poole is Europe's largest natural harbour and a site of nature conservation, with many international protections in place particularly around wildfowl.

According to Poole Tourism, Poole is Europe’s largest natural harbour and a site of nature conservation, with many international protections in place. We would advise members of the public that they should not swim in Poole Harbour or the surrounding area until further notice. Approximately 200 barrels of reservoir fluid was released into the water after the leak occurred at Wytch Farm oil field in Dorset, the UK’s largest onshore oil field, on Sunday (26 March).

A clean-up operation is under way after the UK's largest onshore field released about 200 barrels of oil into the harbour in south-west England.

If eyes have come into contact with the spill, they should be rinsed with water,” he added. We have the second largest natural harbour in the world here, award winning beaches, a very delicate ecosystem. So the natural reaction is to be very worried,” he told Radio 4's Today show. The Wytch Farm oilfield in the Purbecks has been operating since 1979 and is one of the largest onshore oilfields in Europe. It is located on the southern shore of Poole Harbour, the world's second largest natural harbour. An Environment Agency representative said: “We have received reports of a large amount of oil in Poole Harbour and we are supporting the port authority and other partners in responding to this incident.”

A major incident has been declared after oil from the UK's largest onshore oil field has leaked into the water in Dorset. Multiple agencies have responded ...

As a result of the oil leak, people have been warned not to enter the waters at Poole beaches and Poole Harbour until further notice. Whilst this has been contained, we are told that oil has escaped into the water and surrounding area. “Anyone who has come into contact with the spill should wash immediately with soap and water. A major incident has now been declared and a gold command unit has been established. Poole Harbour Commissioners are leading the clear-up of the spill and state the situation is now under control. It is the largest onshore oil field in western Europe and is owned by Perenco. Email us at [email protected] to share your pictures, stories and information. Approximately 200 barrels of reservoir fluid was released into Poole Harbour after the leak occurred from a pipeline at Wytch Farm oil field in Dorset on Sunday. The commissioners added that Perenco had reported “no risk” of further leakage after the pipeline was shut down and booms were placed on either side of the leak to minimise pollution. Further assessment of the water and area will take place today. These companies are specialists in oil spill response incidents. The waters are being further assessed on Monday (March 27) as investigations continue into the leak's impact and how it all happened.

As reported, 200 barrels of 'reservoir fluid' was released into the water at Poole Harbour. The leak occurred at a pipeline operated by Perenco under Owers Bay.

"Anyone who has come into contact with the spill should wash immediately with soap and water for ten minutes. [Perenco said the fluid comprised approximately 85 per cent water and 15 per cent oil](https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/23413591.around-15-per-cent-leaked-fluid-oil-according-perenco/). [Poole](/news/districts/poole/) Harbour following a pipeline leak on Sunday.

Around 15 per cent of the fluid spilt in Poole Harbour was oil, according to Perenco, the company operating Wytch Farm.

"It is important to stress that the situation is under control, with the discharge of fluids having been stopped and the spill is being contained.” “The pipeline was shut down and booms were placed on either side of the leak in order to minimise any pollution and Perenco advise that there is no risk of any further leakage. The remaining roughly 85 per cent of the 200 barrels of fluid spilled was water and some of the oil has already been recovered.

Dr Malcolm Hudson, associate professor in environmental science at the University of Southampton, said: “While we don't know the full extent of the leak yet, a ...

Alice Harrison, fossil fuels campaign leader at Global Witness, said: “Despite all the safety promises fossil fuel companies make, they simply cannot guarantee against these kinds of incidents. Surely this should give them pause for thought.” They are all vulnerable to floating oil. “Meanwhile, there’s the human angle – people live and work in the marine, there’s a big shellfishery and tourism is a big part of the local economy. “Not only is this potentially a serious environmental incident, it illustrates the risks we take if we place infrastructure like oil pipelines in such sensitive locations.” Environmental charities and experts say the oil spill in Poole Harbour could have a “devastating” impact on sensitive nature reserves in the area.

“Leakage from wells and pipelines is a serious issue for the oil and gas industry globally. They occur as catastrophic blowouts such as the Deepwater Horizon ...

“The reality of oil exploration, even onshore drilling such as at Wytch Farm in Dorset, is that “where there’s drilling, there’s spilling”. The short term will require quick and decisive action, with longer term monitoring to measure the impact of the spill.” This is coming from one of Europe’s oldest and biggest regions of onshore oil exploration and extraction which to date has had a very good safety record. “While we don’t know the full extent of the leak yet, a spill in Poole Harbour raises particular concerns. “Leakage from wells and pipelines is a serious issue for the oil and gas industry globally. Between 2000 and 2013, the Environment Agency recorded nine pollution incidents involving the release of crude oil within 1 km of an oil or gas well in the UK, some probably caused by pipelines and several are in Poole Harbour at the Wytch Farm oilfield.”

A major incident was declared on Sunday evening (March 26) after an oil leak has entered the waters at Poole Harbour. It is believed 200 barrels of ...

It is the largest onshore oil field in western Europe and is owned by Perenco. The other unknown is how much of the oil will settle on the mud and harbour shorelines and what impact that will have on marine invertebrates. “This latest spill demonstrates the environmental devastation that comes with oil and gas drilling. "This is a further demonstration of why we need to Just Stop Oil - if climate breakdown and the collapse of human civilisation is not enough for you. It’s more evidence that we need to just stop oil, say no to new drilling and extraction, like the previously proposed new oil well near Puddletown here in Dorset. The current situation to be stable with the continuing focus of coordination to gather further data to assess the environmental implications and to continue to progress a cleanup operation. This has been designated as a tier two incident if it were to escalate to a tier one, the Marine and Coast Agency would lead the response which under the Government is under the Department for Transport. Over the next few weeks both Sandwich and Common Tern will be arriving back from their wintering grounds to nest on Brownsea, and will be reliant on fishing in the harbour to feed their young. Rebecca Pow, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environmental Quality and Resilience, assures him and the House that a full investigation is underway. The spillage is understood to be a product that is 80% Ceylon soil solution and 20% crude oil. Investigations are currently underway to determine the reason for the fault and to make sure that similar incidents are not repeated. It is of course extremely disappointing to hear of this event, and while there will be a time later for anger and investigation, our focus now must be on ensuring we can mitigate any impacts of this situation."

Area supports an abundance of species, from rare and endangered birds to seagrass meadows.

Dennett said the spill should feed an appetite to put a stop to the Wytch Farm production site. “It’s more evidence that we need to just stop oil, say no to new drilling and extraction,” she said. It showed that even with onshore drilling, “where there’s drilling, there’s spilling,” said Ian Williams, professor of applied environmental science at the University of Southampton.

Conservationists are worried about the effect of migrating birds feeding and nesting around the harbour, where 200 barrels of reservoir fluid spilt.

“Each month we conduct wetland bird surveys across the harbour to monitor populations of over-wintering birds. “When it comes to an issue like this there are several areas of concern. “There are wintering avocet, black-tailed godwit and curlew still present in the harbour. “The other unknown is how much of the oil will settle on the mud and harbour shorelines and what impact that will have on marine invertebrates.” “Poole Harbour is a bass nursery and an important area for molluscs which feed by filtering seawater and may be particularly badly affected, as well as resident seals and two species of seahorse that breed in the harbour. Brian Bleese, chief executive of Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “The impact on other marine species is also of great concern.

Perenco, the UK's largest onshore oil field, said a “small” amount of reservoir fluid (consisting of 85% water and 15% oil) escaped from its pipeline. Poole oil ...

however, we consider that unlikely due to the rapid response and deployment of the oil mitigation plan.” The natural reaction is to be very worried.” It’s a very large enclosed bay – and so pollutants may not be flushed out quickly by the tides.” It said it was working with local authorities to monitor and clean up the spill using the Shoreline Clean-up and Assessment Technique (Scat). “This has been designated as a tier two incident. He told MPs the impact on the marine environment “is unknown” and asked the Government “to ensure that it is paramount the regulator carries out a full investigation into why the leak occurred”.

OILED birds” have been spotted around Poole Harbour in Dorset after a pipeline from a nearby oil field leaked on Sunday, the RSPB said.

“Each month we conduct wetland bird surveys across the harbour to monitor populations of over-wintering birds. “When it comes to an issue like this there are several areas of concern. “There are wintering avocet, black-tailed godwit and curlew still present in the harbour. “The other unknown is how much of the oil will settle on the mud and harbour shorelines and what impact that will have on marine invertebrates.” Paul Morton, of the charity Birds of Poole Harbour, said: “Right now we’re in that important transition period where our winter birds are leaving and our summer birds are arriving, many of which use the southern shore of the harbour for feeding, nesting and hunting. [Poole](/news/districts/poole/) Harbour in Dorset after a pipeline from a nearby oil field leaked on Sunday, the RSPB said.

Extinction Rebellion leads protest and council leader expresses anger over damage done to protected site.

Franck Dy, the Wytch Farm general manager, said: “Any spill is an extremely serious matter and a full investigation will be launched to ascertain what happened in Poole harbour. The Environment Agency is supporting the port authority in responding, including on the cleanup operation. PHC carried out a survey of the harbour on Monday morning involving 100 people, helicopters and drones. Also, it’s a very low-energy environment, so unlike a spill on an open coast there won’t be much wave action to help break down and disperse the oil. The natural reaction is to be very worried,” he said. The RSPB has already recorded sightings of oiled birds in the harbour.

Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC), which regulates activities in the harbour, said a leak occurred at a pipeline operated by gas company Perenco, under Owers ...

It’s a very large enclosed bay – and so pollutants may not be flushed out quickly by the tides.” The natural reaction is to be very worried.” however, we consider that unlikely due to the rapid response and deployment of the oil mitigation plan.” “It is important to stress that the situation is under control, with the discharge of fluids having been stopped and the spill is being contained.” “This has been designated as a tier two incident. He told MPs the impact on the marine environment “is unknown” and asked the Government “to ensure that it is paramount the regulator carries out a full investigation into why the leak occurred”.

PROTESTORS marched, chanted and drummed in Poole on Monday afternoon following the oil spill in Poole Harbour.

I’m not convinced any precautionary measures were in place and I don’t like calling it a spillage – it was a leak. “The Harbour is an area of extraordinary and unique biodiversity. Donning placards and hazmat suits with a group she dubbed the ‘Pink Rebels’, Ms Bury described the oil spill as a “local disaster”. Cllr Farquhar backed the investigation, but said he felt similar incidents involving pipelines would become inevitable. We have to move away from oil. “This kind of thing is a wake up call locally, it’s a local disaster and tragedy, but you also have to look at the big picture of nature worldwide.

Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC), which regulates activities in the harbour, said a leak occurred at a pipeline operated by gas company Perenco, under Owers ...

It’s a very large enclosed bay – and so pollutants may not be flushed out quickly by the tides.” The natural reaction is to be very worried.” however, we consider that unlikely due to the rapid response and deployment of the oil mitigation plan.” “It is important to stress that the situation is under control, with the discharge of fluids having been stopped and the spill is being contained.” “This has been designated as a tier two incident. He told MPs the impact on the marine environment “is unknown” and asked the Government “to ensure that it is paramount the regulator carries out a full investigation into why the leak occurred”.

A major incident was declared when 200 barrels of reservoir fluid – consisting of 15% oil – spilled from Perenco's Wytch Farm oil field, leaving locals ...

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. Join our new Whatsapp community! "It is important to stress that the situation is under control, with the discharge of fluids having been stopped and the spill is being contained.” Brian Bleese, of Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “The impact on other marine species is also of great concern.” Peter Robertson, senior site manager at RSPB Arne, which borders the harbour, said: “We have received reports of oiled birds in the area and we are monitoring the situation closely.” The RSPB said yesterday it was too early to fully assess the damage to wildlife although it was “very concerned” about the effect on migrating birds.

Perenco, the UK's largest onshore oil field, said a “small” amount of reservoir fluid (consisting of 85% water and 15% oil) escaped from its pipeline. Poole oil ...

however, we consider that unlikely due to the rapid response and deployment of the oil mitigation plan.” The natural reaction is to be very worried.” It’s a very large enclosed bay – and so pollutants may not be flushed out quickly by the tides.” It said it was working with local authorities to monitor and clean up the spill using the Shoreline Clean-up and Assessment Technique (Scat). “This has been designated as a tier two incident. He told MPs the impact on the marine environment “is unknown” and asked the Government “to ensure that it is paramount the regulator carries out a full investigation into why the leak occurred”.