Oil spill off Pattaya "under control"

[george]

Thai Oil claims to have contained oil spill off Chonburi coast

BANGKOK: -- An executive of Thai Oil Public Company Ltd. said the oil pipeline leakage off the shore of Chonburi province has been properly contained and will inflict no harm on Thailand's environment.

Thai Oil Plc., Deputy Managing Director Somkeirt Hudthagosol said the oil spill took place around 8.30am Sunday. For "a few seconds" an amount of about 10 tonnes -- 70 barrels of oil -- leaked into offshore

Chonburi's comparatively shallow coastal waters from a soft delivery pipe.

Sunday's oil spill is a leak of crude oil from a Japan-registered oil tanker named the "Ryaho Maru" which anchored offshore and making a standard delivery to the refinery. The leak instantly triggered the security system which shut the valve, and strong ocean currents dispersed the crude in a short period before it could 'clot' or coagulate and come ashore on the Sriracha or Pattaya tourist coasts.

After the incident, Thai Oil used buoys to cointain the affected area while mounting a proper clean-up operation in line with international environmental management standards, Mr. Somkiat said.

--TNA 2005-11-20

[awarrumbungle]

Wow 10 tonnes in a few seconds!

[george]

Big oil spill off Sri Racha threatens to hit beaches

SRI RACHA: -- More than 300,000 litres of crude oil was spilled into the sea just three nautical miles off Sri Racha district yesterday, sparking fears of environmental damage.

The spillage occurred at about 9am while an oil tanker, the Ryuho Maru, was discharging crude oil into an underwater pipeline leading to a tank depot belonging to Thai Oil Plc.

An informed source estimated the cost of damage at more than Bt2 million.

The same source said it took officials more than half an hour to turn off a valve and stop the crude oil spilling into the sea.

Following the incident, an oil slick up to three kilometres long threatened environmental damage and adverse impacts to tourism at nearby popular beaches.

"An investigation is now ongoing to determine what caused the spillage," the source said.

The Marine Department cordoned off the floating oil slick yesterday out of concern that boat traffic and engines running near the oil could spark fires.

The department also dispatched the ship Chol Taranurak, which is specially equipped to clean up oil spills, from Samut Prakan.

The clean up job is expected to be completed today.

--The Nation 2005-11-21

[sierra01]

I hope they get it cleaned up before it does any damage to the coastline, it's a nice area down there.

[george]

Oil slick threatens Pattaya beaches

CHON BURI: -- An oil slick about 3km long containing about 100,000 litres of crude could be heading for Pattaya after a pipe on an unloading Japanese oil tanker ruptured yesterday, leading to a large spill. The Ryuho Maru was discharging a load of crude oil from Oman at a buoy about three nautical miles off Udom cove when the accident occurred.

It took about 30 minutes to shut the valve, and by then about 100,000 litres of oil, or a third of the tanker's cargo, had spilled into the sea.

The Marine Department has ordered an investigation to establish whether the tanker's crew had mishandled the transfer, or if a faulty pipe was to blame.

The oil was being transferred to the Thai Oil refinery plant in Si Racha district.

The tanker threw a floating boom around the slick in a futile attempt to contain its spread. Strong winds and choppy seas pushed the oil slick over the top of the boom and were still hampering clean-up efforts last night.

A Marine Department official said the situation should be under control in a few days. The department would send in the Chontharanurak, a vessel used specifically to battle oil spills. If necessary a second vessel, the Den Suthi, would be dispatched from nearby Samut Prakan.

In the southern province of Phatthalung, a close watch is being kept on water sources in Laem Tanod Khuan Khanun district one week after a freight train carrying highly toxic nitric acid derailed there.

Seven of the 18 cargo compartments have been salvaged, but three of the remaining compartments contain barrels with a large quantity of nitric acid.

When the train came off the tracks, the barrels were tossed around, splashing the highly corrosive liquid onto the interior of the freight compartments and creating holes through which it could flow into the environment.

Local residents are concerned the nitric acid could contaminate creeks and waterways that empty into the Thalay Noi inlet.

Phatthalung Governor Prachak Suwannaphaksi said the province lacked the necessary expertise to handle the problem. The State Railway of Thailand had not informed anyone that a train carrying such a toxic substance was passing through the province, he said.

The train was reportedly heading for Sadao district in neighbouring Songkhla.

Chalan Inthayod, chairman of Laem Tanod tambon administration organisation, said the effects from the contamination of local water sources were beginning to be felt and the SRT must pay compensation for the damage caused.

Sumetha Wichienpet, chief of Hazardous Response and Remedial Action at the Pollution Control Department (PCD) warned that the leakage in Phatthalung would be hazardous to the health of local people.

``If we see dead fish and plants in the area we will know the situation is getting critical,'' said Mr Sumetha.

The PCD was closely following the situation, he said.

Mr Sumetha contradicted the comments made by the governor, insisting that the province's workers must deal with the clean-up.

He said the province had plenty of equipment and the necessary expertise required to handle the task.

The nitric acid was continuing to corrode metal parts of the cargo compartments. It was estimated that the three compartments and the more than a hundred chemical drums together weigh about 90 tonnes.

Working with the toxic material is a dangerous task, Mr Sumetha said. Nitric acid causes severe burns and swallowing it could be fatal.

Nitric acid is commonly used in the production of nitrogenous fertiliser and in the manufacture of textile dyes.

--Bangkok Post 2005-11-21

[Jai Dee]

300,000 LITERS OF CRUDE OIL HAS SPILLED ONTO THE GULF OF THAILAND

More than 300,000 liters of crude oil has spilled onto the Gulf of Thailand, where it was predicted that winds and waves would carry the spill over to Pattaya.

The spill occurred 3 nautical miles off the coast of Chonburi, as 300,000 liters of oil was leaked from Ryuho Maru, a Japanese oil tanker that was anchored at the site while commencing with oil transfer. The tanker's oil pipe had cracked and spilled the oil into the sea. Due to the strong winds and waves, the spill could not be contained and the oil was floating towards Pattaya.

In the meantime, tourists in Pattaya yesterday were still playing in the sea as normal, with no trace of oil yet found.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 November 2005

[Apothecary]

I hope they get it cleaned up before it does any damage to the coastline, it's a nice area down there.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I must have missed something.

[jaapfries]

Thai Oil claims to have contained oil spill off Chonburi coast

===================================================

Okay; accidents will happen; but the real concern now is to get this spill not only "cleaned-up", but, indeed, "cleaned-away".

It seems that every year, around the start of the High-Season, something occurs which detrimentally affects this coastal region (a.o.) - we've had SARS, Tsunami and this year it could well be thick, horrible oil patches on the (already polluted) beaches of Pattaya & Jomtien. This would seriously affect tourism (again !).

Apart form that; there's little risk to marine life, because most of that has already systematically been destroyed by the wonderful "sewage-system" of this tourist-resort.

So' let's see if Thai Oil is up to this task; "the proof is in the swimming", so to speak.

[Soi Oz]

Thai Oil claims to have contained oil spill off Chonburi coast

So' let's see if Thai Oil is up to this task; "the proof is in the swimming", so to speak.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wouldn't be swimming anywhere on that coast regardless

[The_Other_Mac]

Let's see, 10 tonnes of oil would be a bit over 10,000 litres.

Or is it 100,000?

Or is it 300,000?

The strong winds dispersed it before it could cause damage. Or they pushed it over the top of the boom. The boom was deployed to contain it. Or to keep boats away. Or as a standard precaution, after the oil had already dispersed.

The automatic valve shut off instantaneously. The manually-operated valve took 30 minutes to close.

The incident is over before it started. Or we will know in a few days.

I think we need to get to the Truth here. Let's wait to see the report from Manager; I expect them to report that the oil was part of an order placed by Shin Satellite and the cover-up ordered by Thaksin's sister.

In other news, a 300,000 litre sewage detergent slick from Jomtien was neutralised when it met cleanup chemicals issued by the Fisheries dept off the coast of Si Racha. A TAT official reported that the Andaman coast was unaffected by the incident, and denied that they were planning a buyout of TA, recently renamed to Truth.

[jaapfries]

Thai Oil claims to have contained oil spill off Chonburi coast

So' let's see if Thai Oil is up to this task; "the proof is in the swimming", so to speak.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wouldn't be swimming anywhere on that coast regardless

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

=====================================================

Dear Wally'

I couldn't agree more !

[JRinger]

[

I wouldn't be swimming anywhere on that coast regardless

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

=====================================================

Dear Wally'

I couldn't agree more !

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

after going for a swim a few years ago I developed a horible skin rash on my ears and my friends had rashes different places on their bodies as well. The odor in south Jomtien from water (?) being dumped into the ocean smells like a cesspool. Anyone desiring to swim anywhere in Pattaya should think thrice. After three years I still have to apply ointment to my ears. It's very sad. I've since learned that the major hotels dump their waste directly into the sea as well. They should have very big signs all along the beaches, "BEWARE, SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK'

[Mighty Mouse]

There is always an oil slick off Pattaya Beach.

It happens every time those greasers from --------------- go swimming in the bay.

(fill in the blank country. )

[Jai Dee]

THAI OIL AFFIRMS THAT THE SPILT OIL IN THE GULF OF THAILAND WOULD NOT REACH THE COAST

Thai Oil Plc. has affirmed that no oil from the spill in the Gulf of Thailand would be allowed to reach the coast, as the company is working to drain the leaked oil to send back to the refinery.

Thai Oil today informed the Stock Exchange of Thailand regarding the leakage of oil from Japanese crude tanker "Ryuho Maru", which was in the process of transferring 1.5 million barrels worth of crude oil to the company's oil reception pipeline out at sea. The accident occurred when the pipelines separated from one another and allowed about 20,000 liters of oil to spill into the sea off the Chon Buri coast.

The company explained that a response work was carried out according to international standard, where the oil spill patch was surrounded by a buoy and the oil drained. As for the oil that escaped from the buoy due to intense winds and waves, the company had sprayed oil dispersing chemicals. The company stated that the situation is under control and that no oil would make its way to the coast. The company also affirmed that the leakage would not affect its production capacity.

Meanwhile the Marine Department and the Navy are surveying the sea for oil that may have slipped away.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 November 2005

[Jai Dee]

Thai Oil Says Oil Spill Hasn't Affected Refining Capacity

BANGKOK (Dow Jones)--Thai Oil PCL (TOP.TH) said Monday an oil spill Sunday hasn't had any impact on its refining capacity.

The company, the country's largest refiner in terms of capacity, said in a filing to the Stock Exchange of Thailand that around 20 kiloliters (126 barrels) of crude oil had spilled into the sea while the Japan-registered oil tanker Ryaho Maru was delivering crude to the company's refinery in Chon Buri.

However, the situation is now under control, and the company has cleaned up the spill without any impact on the marine environment, it said.

The company's refining capacity is around 200,000 barrels a day.

[thaiflyer1]

I was in the Royal Garden Complex (Pattaya) having lunch on the 4th floor 1pm today you could see the slick approx 400 yards offshore.........by 1.30pm when i looked again it was gone.

Nver realised they could pump (suck?) it up that quick.

[george]

Marine Dept demands Bt5 million compensation for Chonburi coast oil spill

CHONBURI: -- The Marine Department Monday speeded its oil spill cleanup operation off the Chonburi coast -- and demanded Bt5 million (US$125,000) for damages caused by the incident.

After inspecting the oil spill at Chonburi's Sri Racha district on Monday, Marine Department director-general Tawalyarat Onsira said that the department and agencies concerned joined together in the cleanup operation and have contained most of the spilled oil.

However, he said, changing wind direction might force the oil slick to drifting toward Pattaya and other tourist coasts, and ordered officials to complete the cleanup by nightfall on Monday before it could damage tourism and the environment.

Mr. Tawalyarat said Marine Department officials reported the incident to Laem Chabang police, and demanded compensation from the companies which caused the oil slick.

The incident occurred Sunday when oil was being piped to the Thai Oil Public Company Limited refinery in Si Racha by the Japan-registered oil tanker "Ryaho Maru", which anchored offshore while making a

standard delivery to the refinery. About 20,000 litres of oil leaked into the sea.

Thai Oil, the country's largest refinery, said it accepts full responsibility for damages, but they are yet to be determined. The company said the oil spill would not affect its refining output of about 200,000 barrels per day.

According to Marine Department inspectors, on Monday morning three large oil spills were located floating near Koh Kang Kao Island, some 3-4 km from Si Chang Island. Den Suthi, a vessel used specifically to battle oil spills, was dispatched to sprey chemical dispersants to make the oil clot and sink to the sea bottom.

The authorities worked against strong winds to contain the spilled oil since Sunday night and tried to complete their task Monday for fear that the winds would change direction and would disperse the oil into rougher seas where it could not be cleaned up.

--TNA 2005-11-21

[wilko]

It's amazng how this story has fluctuated from just a little spill to a major leak and then back again.....oil does not simply go away and the clean-up can be as danaging as the oil itself...what the hel_l is going on? Another Thai tourist town bites the dust?

[samran]

I  was  in  the  Royal  Garden  Complex  (Pattaya)  having  lunch  on  the  4th  floor  1pm  today  you  could  see  the  slick  approx  400  yards  offshore.........by  1.30pm  when  i  looked  again  it  was  gone.

Nver  realised  they  could  pump  (suck?)  it  up  that  quick. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You shouldn't be suprised...you are down in Pattaya, where quick pumping and sucking has been perfected by the local lasses.

Now just wait until you get the bill.....

[Paul L]

Wow 10 tonnes in a few seconds!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sounds to me like they have been pretty quick about shutting tanker discharge down to be honest; these little babies can discharge to a terminal at a rate of 35,000 barrels of oil per hour, if you do you numbers that’s almost 93,000 litres per second. Or in financial terms (at $55 USD per barrel) about $32000 USD per second…… Gets mind boggling if you think about it

[sanget]

Wierd - it seems nobody knows the extent of the oil spill. And if Thai Oil is correct, it is of no consequence anyway.

[paulnuek]

So will I still need to bring my suntan oil to Jomtien?

[cobra]

... oil does not simply go away ....

Your right about that,

There's still evidence of oil from the Exxon tanker Valdez (Alaska) from years ago, one gal can produce a film one acre, something like that.

Fortunately Beach road is still unspoiled and pollution free,

[bluelampshade]

I  was  in  the  Royal  Garden  Complex  (Pattaya)  having  lunch  on  the  4th  floor  1pm  today 

You would have been safer eating / the drinking that oil spill instead of eating up there. Food is usually cold and overpriced.

[sanook1]

Let's see, 10 tonnes of oil would be a bit over 10,000 litres.

Or is it 100,000?

Or is it 300,000?

The strong winds dispersed it before it could cause damage. Or they pushed it over the top of the boom. The boom was deployed to contain it. Or to keep boats away. Or as a standard precaution, after the oil had already dispersed.

The automatic valve shut off instantaneously. The manually-operated valve took 30 minutes to close.

The incident is over before it started. Or we will know in a few days.

I think we need to get to the Truth here. Let's wait to see the report from Manager; I expect them to report that the oil was part of an order placed by Shin Satellite and the cover-up ordered by Thaksin's sister.

In other news, a 300,000 litre sewage detergent slick from Jomtien was neutralised when it met cleanup chemicals issued by the Fisheries dept off the coast of Si Racha. A TAT official reported that the Andaman coast was unaffected by the incident, and denied that they were planning a buyout of TA, recently renamed to Truth.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

HAHAHAHA you are nuts!!

[Jai Dee]

THAI OIL HAS BEEN SUED FOR 5 MILLION BAHT DUE TO THE OIL SPILL IN THE GULF OF THAILAND

Thai Oil Public Company Limited has been sued for five million baht, after it accidentally spilled oil into the Gulf of Thailand.

The Marine Department has filed a lawsuit for five million baht from Thai Oil due to the oil leakage off the coast of CHONBURI Province. Department Director-General THAWAN ONSIRA (ถวัลย์ อ่อนศิระ) yesterday inspected the oil leakage, which occurred as a tanker was unloading oil onto Thai Oil's mid-sea pipeline. He said many agencies helped to rapidly contain the oil spill and that so far its spread has been limited. Due to variable wind directions, all spills had to be collected by the end of yesterday to prevent the oil from reaching the coast of PATTAYA, where it could detrimentally affect tourism and natural environment.

Mr. THAWAN also had his subordinates file a lawsuit against Thai Oil amounting to five million baht, for damages and expenses resulting from the spill.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 November 2005

[JRinger]

Wierd - it seems nobody knows the extent of the oil spill.  And if Thai Oil is correct, it is of no consequence anyway.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

CLEAN-UP AT SEA: Gulf oil spill mop-up raises new environmental concerns

Published on November 22, 2005

Marine scientists say out of sight, out of mind doesn’t work with ecology. Marine scientists yesterday warned of long term damage to coral reefs and marine life after Thai Oil and state agencies dumped huge amounts of chemicals into the sea to disperse a crude oil spill off Sri Racha.

Read the whole story:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2005/11/22...l_19221436.html

[Jai Dee]

NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT MINISTER STATED THAT MORE THAN 90% OF OIL SLICK CLEARED

Natural Resources and Environment Minister YONGYUT TIYAPAIRAT (ยงยุทธ ติยะไพรัช) stated that more than 90% of oil slick has been cleared. He added that he has instructed officials to monitor the case and prevent such occurences in the future.

Mr Yongyuth further said that the 20,000 liters of oil slick is now under control. The oil leaked from a crude oil freighter in SIRACHA (ศรีราชา) District, CHONBURI (ชลบุรี). The officials used glycolether to deal with the oil slick. He also affirmed that the oil spill would not affect the environment.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 November 2005

[wilko]

Wierd - it seems nobody knows the extent of the oil spill.  And if Thai Oil is correct, it is of no consequence anyway.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

what asurprise..no-one can get a straight answer to what's going on....even if it doesn't come ashore it'll render everything in the area toxic...especially shellfish.

[george]

Oil spill in Chonburi threatens coral reefs

BANGKOK: -- Masses of crude oil from Sunday's oil spill near the country's main aquatic playground are threatening coral reefs and tourism, and suggesting that Thai Oil Plc was premature in announcing that it had contained Sunday's 20,000-litre 'leak'.

Oil slicks from Thai Oil's leaking tanker delivery pipeline is endangering coral reefs around Koh Khang Khao Island off coastal Chonburi province, home of Thailand's most visited tourist beaches.

The leak calls into question the long-term viability of such deliveriesm and the ability of Thai Oil and its contractors to safety co-exist with Thailand's environmental needs.

Though government authorities have applied chemical dispersants to make layers of oil slicks submerge beneath the ocean surface, in a bid to keep the coral reefs and marine life safe, having masses of oil coagulate on one of the tourist area's few remaining relatively intact coral reefs.

The possibility that the reefs might be in critical danger--after the company assured both the government and the public that the problem was contained-- is not encouraging, said an environmental observer.

Marine and Coastal Resources Department director general Maitree Duangsawasdi said the buoys being used to provide a barrier could not contain the oil slicks due to strong winds on the sea surface.

Chemical dispersion is the only hope now for the authorities to protect the coral reefs along the northern and eastern shores of the island, Mr. Maitree said..

Officials of the Marine and Coastal Resources Department and the Pollution Control Department will assess the environmental impact which could affect the coral reefs and other marine life.

Mr. Maitree said more compensation might be demanded from the oil firm in addition to the five million baht damage which the Marine Department had already claimed, as the containment and cleanup costs may be much highly than originally estimated.

The incident occurred Sunday when oil was being piped to the Thai Oil refinery in Si Racha by the Japan-registered oil tanker "Ryaho Maru", which anchored offshore while making a standard delivery to the refinery. About 20,000 litres of oil leaked into the sea.

Thai Oil, the country's largest refinery, said it accepts full responsibility for damages, but they are yet to be determined. The company said the oil spill would not affect its refining output of about 200,000 barrels per day.

--TNA 2005-11-24