A clean-up operation is under way after about 200 barrels of reservoir fluid including oil leaked into the water at Poole Harbour in Dorset.

A major incident was declared when a leak occurred at a pipeline operated by gas company Perenco. There have been reports that leaked oil is visible on the surface of water as the public is urged not to swim.

The company said a small amount of reservoir fluid – made up of 85% water and 15% oil – escaped from the pipeline. Poole Harbour commissioners, who regulate activities on the harbour, said Perenco reported “no risk” of further leakage, and the surface slick is “already dispersing”.

The Environment Agency said it was aware of a “large amount of oil” in the harbour and a gold command unit was established in response to the incident, which happened shortly after 2pm on Sunday, March 26.

What has the council said?

Cllr Phil Broadhead, leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council, said “As leader of the council, I will, along with the senior council team, be working to see what implications this leak may have and what action we may need to take.

“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.”

Environmental and Scientific Importance

Poole has the largest natural harbour in Europe and about 5,000 acres of it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Its saltmarshes and mudflats are a feeding and breeding ground for seabirds including spoonbills, avocets and black-tailed godwits.

The harbour is also home to an osprey reintroduction programme, aiming to establish a breeding population of the fish-eating birds of prey after 200 years. There have been reports of up to 15 birds spotted with oil on their feathers.

Prof. Ian Williams at the University of Southampton said that “Oil spills have a wide range of well-documented adverse impacts on land, oceans, coastlines, rivers, seabeds and more. Oil has the potential to destroy habitats and disrupt the natural ecosystems that make up these environments. [Oil spills] are particularly damaging to areas that are sensitive or protected such as Poole harbour.”

Further information

The story has been covered extensively, such as the Guardian, BBC, Times, Mirror, Reuters, Daily Echo and Sky.

Anyone who came into contact with the spill was being urged to “wash immediately with soap and water”. The pipeline has been shutdown.