Environmental activists, biodiversity experts, politicians and nature lovers are demanding answers over an oil leak in Poole harbour, a site internationally recognised for its ecological importance.
Nearly 200 barrels of reservoir fluid – a brine mixture that is about 15% oil – leaked into the waters of Owers Bay on Sunday afternoon from a pipeline operated by the energy company Perenco.
Oil slicks were reported across Poole harbour, which is the largest natural harbour in Europe and one of the most heavily protected areas in the UK. The RSPB has already recorded sightings of oiled birds in the harbour.
Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC), the harbour regulator responsible for leading the cleanup response, said on Monday that the picture was improving, with aerial footage suggesting a 60-70% reduction in oil sightings on the water.
However, the leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council, Philip Broadhead, expressed anger at the leak and said questions would be asked over how it occurred.
“I am clearly angry and disappointed, this is the second largest natural harbour, award-winning beaches, very delicate ecosystem. The natural reaction is to be very worried,” he said. “It’s unacceptable. The operator has already said there will be an investigation … but some serious questions need to be answered.”
Extinction Rebellion led a protest in Poole Quay, with many demonstrators lifting banners reading “Perenco Out”.
One protester, Richard Ecclestone, 60, said: “We are in the last-chance saloon to make changes to stop these things happening. It’s other species that are paying the costs for our mistakes. We have to respect and honour what we have around us.”
Philip Evans, a Greenpeace UK climate campaigner, said: “This latest spill demonstrates the environmental devastation that comes with oil and gas drilling.”
Dr Malcolm Hudson, an associate professor in environmental science at the University of Southampton, said: “While we don’t know the full extent of the leak yet, a spill in Poole harbour raises particular concerns. It’s a very large enclosed bay, and so pollutants may not be flushed out quickly by the tides. 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. Poole harbour is especially sensitive, and internationally protected for the wildlife there.”
PHC carried out a survey of the harbour on Monday morning involving 100 people, helicopters and drones. It said it was working with local authorities to monitor and clean up the spill.
“Aerial footage gathered today suggests that there is a 60-70% reduction in oil sightings on the water. Collection of oil from sightings has already commenced and is being recovered to a safe waste recovery site on the port estate,” it said.
Members of the public have been urged to avoid using the water and beaches within the harbour.
The leak occurred at Perenco’s Wytch Farm oilfield and processing facility, which has been in operation since 1979 and produces 14,000 barrels of oil a day.
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. 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 Environment Agency is supporting the port authority in responding, including on the cleanup operation. It is understood that once that work is concluded, the agency, which is the UK’s regulator of onshore gas and oil industry, will consider whether Perenco has breached any conditions of its permits.
