Poole Harbour: major incident declared after oil leak in Dorset with people urged to avoid water and beaches

Poole is Europe’s largest natural harbour and a site of nature conservation, with many international protections in place particularly around wildfowl.
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People have been urged to avoid the beaches and water in Poole Harbour after a major incident was declared after an oil leak.

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). Gas company Perenco UK confirmed the “limited” leak came from one of its well sites, and that the pipeline was shut down, and booms used to control the spread of oil were placed on either side of it.

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Jim Stewart, CEO of Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC), said: “A major incident has now been declared and a gold command unit has been established. We would advise members of the public that they should not swim in Poole Harbour or the surrounding area until further notice.

“Anyone who has come into contact with the spill should wash immediately with soap and water. If eyes have come into contact with the spill, they should be rinsed with water.” PHC added that the “early indicators are that the surface slick is already dispersing”.

Aerial view of Sandbanks, Poole,  in Dorset, which crosses the mouth of Poole Harbour. Picture: PAAerial view of Sandbanks, Poole,  in Dorset, which crosses the mouth of Poole Harbour. Picture: PA
Aerial view of Sandbanks, Poole, in Dorset, which crosses the mouth of Poole Harbour. Picture: PA

A further assessment will be made early on Monday morning regarding the clean-up operation, the commissioners said.

According to Poole Tourism, Poole is Europe’s largest natural harbour and a site of nature conservation, with many international protections in place. The harbour is also a Ramsar site which recognises wetlands of international importance, particularly for wildfowl, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) and a Special Protection Area (SPA).

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Franck Dy, Perenco UK’s 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. 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 firm confirmed a clean-up operation is under way.

Philip Broadhead, the leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, said in a statement: “The Wytch Farm oil field in the Purbecks has been operating since 1979 and is one of the largest onshore oil fields in Europe. We have today been advised by the operators that there has been a leak from the facility. Whilst this has been contained, we are told that oil has escaped into the water and surrounding area.

“We are liaising closely as part of long-established mechanisms with a variety of parties as this situation unfolds.”

He told BBC Radio 4: “I am clearly angry and disappointed, this the second-largest natural harbour, award-winning beaches, very delicate ecosystem… The natural reaction is to be very worried.”

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An Environment Agency spokesperson added: “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.”

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