Singapore agencies are working with Shell to clean up 30 to 40 tonnes of “slops” that spilled into the sea.

SINGAPORE: Singapore agencies said on Monday (Oct 21) that they were working closely with British petrochemical company Shell to clean up a mixture of oil and water that spilled into the sea between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil.

Shell said in a news release late Monday that about 30 to 40 tons of “slops” spilled into the water from its onshore pipeline on Sunday.

The company said it was “actively working with all relevant authorities to manage the cleanup efforts.”

“The leak stopped since yesterday around 3 p.m. We have deployed booms, anti-pollution boats and dispersant sprays to contain and break down the oil as part of the ongoing cleanup efforts,” Shell added.

“Our priority is to keep people safe and limit environmental impact while working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. We appreciate the support and cooperation from authorities and our communities as we work diligently to minimize the impact.

In a joint statement to the media on Monday evening, the agencies said that as of 3 p.m., there had been no further sightings of oil apart from the oil leak in the canal between Pulau Bukom and Bukom Kecil.

The joint statement was issued by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), National Environment Agency (NEA), National Parks Board (NParks), PUB, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) , the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), JTC and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).

As a precautionary measure, a current destruction system has been deployed by the MPA off the coast of Changi, at the entrance to the East Johor Strait, to collect the oil slick, if sighted, and prevent possible further spread. beyond Singapore’s port waters, according to the statement.

Another current destruction system has also been deployed to the west of Singapore “as a precautionary measure”, he adds.

Although no oil has been observed so far at Sentosa, Sisters Islands Marine Park, Labrador Nature Reserve, East Coast Park and West Coast Park, agencies have deployed preventive measure of hydrocarbon-absorbing booms in these locations.

This includes the lagoons of the Sisters Islands Marine Park, Berlayer Creek and the rocky coast of the Labrador Nature Reserve, as well as the mangroves and other key areas of the West Coast Park’s Marsh Garden, as well as areas east coast park keys.

The lock gates at Sentosa Cove were closed and oil-absorbing booms were deployed.

“In addition, deflector booms will be gradually deployed in key areas of Sentosa, including the three beaches which currently remain open for land and water activities.”

The agencies also said there had been no sightings of oil in Kusu, Seringat, St John’s, Lazarus Island and Pulau Hantu.

“The Singapore Land Authority will continue to assess whether oil-absorbing booms will be required in the lagoons of these islands,” the statement said.

The NEA also advised the public against swimming and other primary contact water activities at East Coast Park, Kusu, St John’s and Lazarus Island beaches as a precautionary measure.

No oil was detected near the Jurong Island Desalination Plant and Marina East Desalination Plant, which are located closest to the oil spill location. The national water agency PUB closely monitors seawater withdrawals from its desalination plants.

“Seawater quality readings remain normal and plant operations are not affected. As a precautionary measure, the PUB has also deployed oil containment booms on the Marina Dam,” the statement said.

JTC advised businesses on Jurong Island and waterfront businesses in the western region to be on alert and take necessary precautionary measures.

No fish farms have been affected by the oil spill so far. The SFA is in contact with farmers and has advised them to remain vigilant and take necessary precautionary measures.

“We informed the Indonesian and Malaysian authorities of the incident and advised them to be careful of any sightings of oil along their respective coasts,” the joint statement said.

“Investigations into the incident are currently ongoing.”

In a Facebook post on Monday evening, Minister for Sustainability and Environment Grace Fu said the ministry and its statutory boards were working closely with relevant agencies to ensure public health and safety.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and share updates as necessary,” Ms Fu said.

MPA said on Sunday it was alerted to an oil leak from a Shell onshore pipeline between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil around 1 p.m.

The leak occurred around 5:30 a.m. and “is believed to have stopped at the source,” the statement added.