The Terra Nova production ship spilled up to 140 litres, or less than a barrel, of crude oil into the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month.
The spill, which occurred the morning of Feb. 4, was reported to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (CNLOPB).
Petro-Canada, operator of the Terra Nova oilfield, has pinpointed the source of the spill to a faulty seal in the production ship's crude metering system.
It's located in the tanker loading area, which was being repressurized to resume loading when the spill occurred.
Petro-Canada says no crude was bring transferred at the time.
"We were getting lined up to pump to the tanker ... and a seal released," said Alan Brown, East Coast regional manager for Petro-Canada.
"I think that's unacceptable and we've got an investigation ongoing to determine what combination of equipment and procedures led to that release.
"Primarily, it's an equipment failure because we know that a seal allowed some oil to pass through."
Petro-Canada says the spill lasted less than two minutes before the crude metering system was shut down.
"It was spotted immediately and this is to the credit of the crew," said Brown.
Petro-Canada says its initial estimates placed the size of the spill between 10 litres and 140 litres.
Those estimates were based solely on visual inspections by the crew aboard the nearby supply ship.
"Typically, what you want to do is take them from a higher vantage point," said John Downton, communications director for Petro-Canada.
"Seas were in excess of four metres at the time and there were snow squalls, so visibility was somewhat constrained."
A flight later the same day reported no sign of an oil slick, and a second flight the following day also reported no signs of a slick.
Downton says seas were too rough to deploy oil spill containment equipment and, given conditions, the oil likely dissipated quickly.
The company is carrying out a root cause analysis of events leading up to the spill.
"We'll chase this all the way back to the equipment and procedures and actions taken before, during and after the incident to make sure that we've learned as much as possible - and that's standard practice," said Brown.
Petro-Canada reports its findings to the CNLOPB.
mbaird@thetelegram.com
Terra Nova leaks oil
Less than a barrel of crude spilled
The Terra Nova production ship spilled up to 140 litres, or less than a barrel, of crude oil into the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month.
The spill, which occurred the morning of Feb. 4, was reported to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (CNLOPB).
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Comments
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- Tim
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:34:40
Bob from Fort McMurray, Alberta wrote -
Sorry Bob, I am from Alberta and have the documents to back what I say. But I do love to see that the red neck way of life is strong. Remember how we treated those from Quebec years ago, Seems Albertians love to bash everyone to make a buck, Might be a reason so many of us have left. -
- Dave
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:32:35
The amount of litter around the streets of St. John's is a bigger environmental crime.
-
- Tim
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:31:31
It serves the off-shore industry very well to show that some people and companies have done the right and proper thing by reporting a spill this small. Unlike the large earth chewing corporations in and around Fort McMurray which fail to report spills under 100l, and if in fact they do at all. Only after the spills have been discovered by either health and safety professionals or the environmental departments are things even mentioned.
What makes it worse is the fact that the American CEOS of some of these companies use threats and intimidation to force the authors of the reports to alter documents or misrepresent facts to make the companies out to look better in the eyes of the stockholders then they really are.
When so much toluene is leaked into a tailings pond that it ignites with enough force to blow pick-ups into opposing lanes, it was considered to be minor For those that do not know what toluene is, here is a small breakdown.
Hazards Identification
Emergency Overview
--------------------------
POISON! DANGER! HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED. HARMFUL IF INHALED OR ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. VAPOR HARMFUL. FLAMMABLE LIQUID AND VAPOR. MAY AFFECT LIVER, KIDNEYS, BLOOD SYSTEM, OR CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT.
SAF-T-DATA(tm) Ratings (Provided here for your convenience)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Health Rating: 2 - Moderate (Life)
Flammability Rating: 3 - Severe (Flammable)
Reactivity Rating: 1 - Slight
Contact Rating: 3 - Severe (Life)
Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES & SHIELD; LAB COAT & APRON; VENT HOOD; PROPER GLOVES; CLASS B EXTINGUISHER
Storage Color Code: Red (Flammable)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------
Inhalation:
Inhalation may cause irritation of the upper respiratory tract. Symptoms of overexposure may include fatigue, confusion, headache, dizziness and drowsiness. Peculiar skin sensations (e. g. pins and needles) or numbness may be produced. Very high concentrations may cause unconsciousness and death.
Ingestion:
Swallowing may cause abdominal spasms and other symptoms that parallel over-exposure from inhalation. Aspiration of material into the lungs can cause chemical pneumonitis, which may be fatal.
Skin Contact:
Causes irritation. May be absorbed through skin.
Eye Contact:
Causes severe eye irritation with redness and pain.
Chronic Exposure:
Reports of chronic poisoning describe anemia, decreased blood cell count and bone marrow hypoplasia. Liver and kidney damage may occur. Repeated or prolonged contact has a defatting action, causing drying, redness, dermatitis. Exposure to toluene may affect the developing fetus.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or impaired liver or kidney function may be more susceptible to the effects of this substance. Alcoholic beverage consumption can enhance the toxic effects of this substance.
People are exposed to this toxin on a daily basis from these oil sand sites, and the by products leach into the ground water. Not too mention that some of these employers attempt to blame the workers for becoming ill with other symptoms to avoid the truth getting out from exposure to this and other harsh toxins.
I must say that to have an oil and gas company come right out with such a minor spill is a refreshing change in a industry that is know to put profits ahead of people.
Hats off to Petro Canada this time around.. -
- NL_Expatriate
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:27:29
I don't understand why ships in harbour have to have spill booms around them at all times while in port but stationary drill rigs on the high seas don't?
-
- Bob
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:22:45
Tim, you must of had no problem in coming to Fort McMurray to work or did you just here this story from a buddy of yours? I have lived here for 30 years and never heard that story. I work for, your words not mine, one of those giant earth chewing companies and get tired of people bashing us. Feel free in stay in Newfoundland, heaven knows we don't need any more commuters. Hug a tree, join Greenpeace and drive an electric car. By the way, clubbed any baby seals lately? Stings doesn't it!!!
-
- Tim
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:24:06
Bob from Fort McMurray, Alberta wrote -
Sorry Bob, I am from Alberta and have the documents to back what I say. But I do love to see that the red neck way of life is strong. Remember how we treated those from Quebec years ago, Seems Albertians love to bash everyone to make a buck, Might be a reason so many of us have left. -
- Dave
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:21:29
The amount of litter around the streets of St. John's is a bigger environmental crime.
-
- Tim
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:20:04
It serves the off-shore industry very well to show that some people and companies have done the right and proper thing by reporting a spill this small. Unlike the large earth chewing corporations in and around Fort McMurray which fail to report spills under 100l, and if in fact they do at all. Only after the spills have been discovered by either health and safety professionals or the environmental departments are things even mentioned.
What makes it worse is the fact that the American CEOS of some of these companies use threats and intimidation to force the authors of the reports to alter documents or misrepresent facts to make the companies out to look better in the eyes of the stockholders then they really are.
When so much toluene is leaked into a tailings pond that it ignites with enough force to blow pick-ups into opposing lanes, it was considered to be minor For those that do not know what toluene is, here is a small breakdown.
Hazards Identification
Emergency Overview
--------------------------
POISON! DANGER! HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED. HARMFUL IF INHALED OR ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. VAPOR HARMFUL. FLAMMABLE LIQUID AND VAPOR. MAY AFFECT LIVER, KIDNEYS, BLOOD SYSTEM, OR CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT.
SAF-T-DATA(tm) Ratings (Provided here for your convenience)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Health Rating: 2 - Moderate (Life)
Flammability Rating: 3 - Severe (Flammable)
Reactivity Rating: 1 - Slight
Contact Rating: 3 - Severe (Life)
Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES & SHIELD; LAB COAT & APRON; VENT HOOD; PROPER GLOVES; CLASS B EXTINGUISHER
Storage Color Code: Red (Flammable)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------
Inhalation:
Inhalation may cause irritation of the upper respiratory tract. Symptoms of overexposure may include fatigue, confusion, headache, dizziness and drowsiness. Peculiar skin sensations (e. g. pins and needles) or numbness may be produced. Very high concentrations may cause unconsciousness and death.
Ingestion:
Swallowing may cause abdominal spasms and other symptoms that parallel over-exposure from inhalation. Aspiration of material into the lungs can cause chemical pneumonitis, which may be fatal.
Skin Contact:
Causes irritation. May be absorbed through skin.
Eye Contact:
Causes severe eye irritation with redness and pain.
Chronic Exposure:
Reports of chronic poisoning describe anemia, decreased blood cell count and bone marrow hypoplasia. Liver and kidney damage may occur. Repeated or prolonged contact has a defatting action, causing drying, redness, dermatitis. Exposure to toluene may affect the developing fetus.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or impaired liver or kidney function may be more susceptible to the effects of this substance. Alcoholic beverage consumption can enhance the toxic effects of this substance.
People are exposed to this toxin on a daily basis from these oil sand sites, and the by products leach into the ground water. Not too mention that some of these employers attempt to blame the workers for becoming ill with other symptoms to avoid the truth getting out from exposure to this and other harsh toxins.
I must say that to have an oil and gas company come right out with such a minor spill is a refreshing change in a industry that is know to put profits ahead of people.
Hats off to Petro Canada this time around.. -
- NL_Expatriate
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:14:59
I don't understand why ships in harbour have to have spill booms around them at all times while in port but stationary drill rigs on the high seas don't?
-
- Bob
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:07:19
Tim, you must of had no problem in coming to Fort McMurray to work or did you just here this story from a buddy of yours? I have lived here for 30 years and never heard that story. I work for, your words not mine, one of those giant earth chewing companies and get tired of people bashing us. Feel free in stay in Newfoundland, heaven knows we don't need any more commuters. Hug a tree, join Greenpeace and drive an electric car. By the way, clubbed any baby seals lately? Stings doesn't it!!!
