Shell Refinery in Singapore Experiences Second Leak in Three Months
For the second time since October, the Shell refinery at Pulau Bukom, Singapore has experienced a leak. This time, a processing unit released oil products into the marine environment through its cooling water system.
On December 27, Shell reported to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and National Environment Agency (NEA) that it had shut down one of its oil processing units at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park at Pulau Bukom due to a suspected leak. The unit, which produces diesel and other refined products, utilizes cooling water from the sea. Shell estimated that several tonnes of refined products had entered the water via a cooling water discharge outlet in a confined channel.
In response to the spill, the refinery deployed containment booms, sorbent booms, and dispersant spray. Additionally, a built-in skimmer system installed in the channel was activated, and the channel inlet was boomed off to prevent further spread of the spill to the open sea.
The MPA and Shell dispatched response boats to address light sheening off Pulau Bukom using dispersants and absorbent booms. Surveillance of the area continues through drone and satellite imagery. Absorbent booms were also placed on popular beaches of Sentosa and at Sisters’ Islands Marine Park as a precaution, although no slicks have reached these areas, and public access remains uninterrupted.
On December 28, Shell confirmed that the leak had been contained, and no more petroleum was entering the cooling water discharge. The exact source of the leak is still being investigated.
Singapore’s NEA is conducting an investigation into the release and has stated that regulatory action will be taken if any noncompliance is found.
This recent leak marks the second incident at the large refinery complex in three months. In October, a land-based slop pipeline between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil experienced a leak, resulting in approximately 30 tonnes of oil-water mixture entering the sea between the two islands. The spill was contained and cleaned up promptly.
The Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Singapore is Shell’s largest wholly-owned refining complex. While Shell has sold it to Glencore and Chandra Asri Capital earlier this year, the transaction has not yet been finalized.