The Shell Refining Company Bhd said that the leak from about 35 barrels of residue fuel oil from its Port Dickson refinery into nearby monsoon drains over the weekend has been contained.
It said in a statement today that the fuel oil was found in monsoon drains along the stretch of Kampung Paya and Kampung Air Meleleh, adjacent to the refinery last Saturday.
“A round-the-clock clean-up operation commenced immediately and was completed late on Monday. The situation is now under control with all the fuel oil contained and recovered, and no impact expected on the surrounding areas.
Containment efforts ensured that the fuel was prevented from flowing into the Straits of Malacca,” the company said.
Shell Refining said upon discovering the leak, the refinery’s emergency response team together with Pimmag (Petroleum Industry Malaysia Mutual Aid Group) immediately commenced the clean-up involving 50 people.
Five booms were also installed to trap the sludge and excavators were deployed to clear the waterways.
Shell Refining said initial investigations by the refinery indicated that the source of the leak was from a line connected to the residue fuel oil storage tank.
The Department of Environment, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health and all other relevant authorities had also been informed.
Together with the authorities, the company said it was conducting a full investigation and would implement what it had learnt from the incident to prevent a recurrence.
– Bernama
Jimmy Tan
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