Oil Search’s PNG asset manager Philip Caldwell said the spillage occurred on August 9 at the Kumul loading terminal and resulted in around 40 barrels or 6700 litres of oil leaking into the ocean. This is in contrast to local press reports of 200,000 litres of spillage.
The spillage was said to have occurred as a result of a pressure surge during a loading of a tanker at the terminal. Oil Search said all government authorities were notified immediately of the incident.
The Post Courier carried the story of the spillage on its front page and quoted the executive officer to the Administration, David Hilake, as saying the administration had received “tonnes of complaints from villagers about marine life being affected — that fish, turtles and sea cucumbers have been dying as a result”.
"Oil Search is providing this statement due to erroneous reporting and speculation regarding the incident,” Caldwell said.
“Oil Search has not seen any physical evidence to confirm the rumours that there have been any impacts.
He added that the terminal’s oil spill response plan was activated immediately and the spill was quickly dispersed.
“The dispersal was aided by heavy seas and the fact that Kumul crude is very light, resulting in rapid evaporation.”
A number of reconnaissance flights were said to have been conducted following the spill and “there no visible signs of the oil” while the company’s community affairs officers were also said to have confirmed no oil had reached the shore.
