Shell shuts down its Bukom Island refinery to investigate a possible leak

SINGAPORE. Oil and gas company Shell has informed Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) and the National Environment Agency (NEA) that it has shut down one of its refineries at Bukom Island to investigate a possible leak.

The refinery, located at Shell Energy and Chemical Parks, is used to produce petroleum products such as diesel, the MPA, NEA, National Parks Board (NParks) and Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) said in a December press release. 27.

Water obtained from the sea is used as part of the process to cool the products of oil refining in the installation.

According to Shell estimates, there was a leak of several tons of oil products along with the discharged cooling water, the agencies said.

After the leak, the company installed protective and absorbent pads and sprayed dispersants in the channel where the cooling water is discharged. The built-in oil skimmer system in the channel was also activated.

“Protective and absorbent bollards have been installed at the mouth of the channel to prevent the spread of oil residues into the sea,” the agencies said. “There are currently no oil slicks observed near Pulau Bukom.”

MPA and Shell have deployed cleanup boats to clean up light oil slicks Bukom Islandusing both dispersers and absorbing arrows.

“Agencies are closely monitoring the situation and have deployed satellites and drones for surveillance,” the agencies said. “As a precautionary measure, oil-absorbing booms will be placed in the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park and Sentosa beaches.”

Navigational traffic in the area is not affected, nor is bunkering operations at the Port of Singapore affected.

Further updates will be provided if significant changes occur, the agencies said.

“NEA is investigating the MPA incident and will not hesitate to take enforcement action if any irregularities or lapses are found,” they added.

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