AROUND 15 per cent of the fluid spilt in Poole Harbour today was oil, according to Perenco, the company operating Wytch Farm.
The remaining roughly 85 per cent of the 200 barrels of fluid spilled was water and some of the oil has already been recovered.
Poole Harbour Commissioners declared a major incident earlier today after around 200 barrels of reservoir fluid was released into the water column.
Proving an update, Poole Harbour Commissioners’ CEO Jim Stewart said: “Earlier today a leak occurred at a pipeline operated by Perenco at Owers Bay in Poole Harbour.
“Perenco advised that a small amount of reservoir fluid (approximately 85 per cent water and 15 per cent oil) escaped from the pipeline, however some of this has already been recovered.
“The pipeline was shut down and booms were placed on either side of the leak in order to minimise any pollution and Perenco advise that there is no risk of any further leakage.
Read more: LIVE: Major incident declared in Poole Harbour after 200 barrel 'fluid' leak
“Early indications are that the surface slick is already dispersing.
"PHC activated its emergency oil spill plan earlier today and specialist oil spill response companies are assisting with the operation.”
A multi-agency investigation and clean-up was launched following the incident, which included Dorset Police, Dorset Council, BCP Councill, the NHS, Environment Agency and Natural England.
Read more: Poole Harbour fluid spill: what we know so far
Mr Stewart added a further assessment will be made early tomorrow morning regarding a clean-up operation and urged people to remain out of the water in Poole Harbour until further intelligence is available.
He added: “It is unlikely that there will be any long-term health effects from short exposures (eg days).
“Anyone who has come into contact with the spill should wash immediately with soap and water for ten minutes.
“If eyes have come into contact with the spill, they should be rinsed with water.
“Anyone who has been exposed to fuel oil and is feeling unwell please contact NHS 111 or seek medical attention from your GP.”
Franck Dy, Perenco UK’s Wytch Farm general manager, said: “Any spill is an extremely serious matter and a full investigation will be launched to ascertain what happened in Poole Harbour.
"It is important to stress that the situation is under control, with the discharge of fluids having been stopped and the spill is being contained.”
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