Shell Refinery in Singapore Faces Second Oil Leak in Three Months, Cleanup Underway

The Shell refinery at Pulau Bukom, Singapore experienced a second leak since October, this time releasing oil products into the marine environment through its cooling water system. The incident, reported on December 27, led to the shutdown of an oil processing unit producing diesel and other refined products. Shell estimated that several tonnes of refined products entered the water through a cooling water discharge outlet in a confined channel. To address the spill, containment booms, sorbent booms, dispersant spray, and a skimmer system were deployed, with response boats cleaning up light sheening off Pulau Bukom.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Shell responded swiftly to contain the leak, deploying various cleanup measures and monitoring the area through drone surveillance and satellite imagery. Absorbent booms were also placed at popular beaches and nearby marine parks as a precaution, although no slicks had reached these areas. Shell confirmed on December 28 that the leak was contained, with no more petroleum entering the cooling water discharge. The exact source of the leak is still under investigation by Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA), which stated it will take regulatory action if noncompliance is found.

This incident marks the second leak at the Shell refinery complex in three months, with a previous leak occurring in October from a land-based slop pipeline. The Shell Energy and Chemicals Park in Singapore, the company’s largest wholly-owned refining complex, has been operational since 1961. Although Shell has sold the complex to Glencore and Chandra Asri Capital, the transaction has not been finalized. NEA continues to investigate the recent release and will take appropriate action based on its findings.

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