A 23 sq mile oil slick along Spain's northwest coast, spreading from the wreckage of the Greek oil tanker Aegean Sea, was for the most part under control as of Dec. 10, Spanish authorities reported.
Various press reports put the total spill volume at 490,000 bbl, about double that leaked by the Exxon Valdez supertanker off Alaska in 1989.
If initial reports of the spill volume are borne out, the Aegean Sea spill would rank at least as one of the 10 biggest tanker spills.
WHAT HAPPENED
The 54,000 dwt tanker, owned by Coulouthros Shipping Ltd., Piraeus, ran aground at the entrance to the harbor at La Coruna on the coast of Northwest Spain Dec. 3, splitting in two and bursting into flames. The vessel hit rocks at the tip of a promontory on the bay, while trying to enter the harbor in heavy fog and high seas.
Spain's state oil company Repsol Petroleo SA, Madrid, had chartered the tanker to take 550,000 bbl of crude oil from the Sullom Voe terminal in the U.K. North Sea to its 135,000 b/d refinery at La Coruna.
Fierce storms hampered early attempts to contain the spill. The oil spread along the coast, with little moving out to sea where it might disperse. On Dec. 8, Lloyd's of London reported that the wreck's position had changed little, and that there was still a small volume of oil leaking.
Dutch salvage company Smit-Tak told Reuters Dec. 8 that it could land a helicopter on the vessel because of improved weather. The salvage team hopes to send divers down to inspect the hull as the first step in lightering the oil still on board.
"We need to set up a ship to shore wire connection so we can connect the discharge hoses," a Smit-Tak official told Reuters Dec. 8, "but we won't be able to start discharging today."
SPILL'S EXTENT
Reuters said the oil slick spread along 60 miles of coastline. By Dec. 8 it had broken through floating barriers and contaminated the Ria de Ferrol, a large rocky inlet rich in fish and shellfish.
Salvage teams hoped the slick would not spread to the north or farther west than the Illa de San Pedro, near the Torre de Hercules lighthouse where the tanker foundered.
Lloyd's agents said floating booms had been placed at the entrance to La Coruna, along the Gandaria beach near Sada, at the entrance to the Puentedeume fishing port, at the mouth of Ferrol Bay, across the inner harbor at Ferrol, at the mouth of Serantes Bay, at El Pedrido Bay, and along Cirro Beach.
Two skimmers are in operation at Ferrol, with a barge and two vacuum trucks. At Mugardos there are two skimmers, a barge, and two vacuum trucks. Single vacuum trucks are in use on the beaches at Chanteiro and San Pedro.
SPILL CENTER ON STANDBY
The Oil Spill Service Centre (OSSC) at Southampton, U.K., said to hold the world's largest stock of pollution control equipment, is waiting to hear whether the Spanish authorities require additional booms, chemical dispersants, and skimmers.
OSSC is funded by a group of 18 international oil companies to provide backup spill response to members anywhere in the world. Although Repsol is not a member, OSSC has advised the company that its resources are available as required.
"We are at a heightened standby level," said Mike Long, OSSC administration director. "Repsol has not yet contacted us but is fully aware of our offer of help."
Long said Dec. 9 that an overnight report suggested weather conditions were helping oil disperse, even in coves. Waves had been of such force that oil has been broken up into droplets.
OSSC would not comment on whether damage from the Aegean Sea spill would be greater than that caused by the Mar. 24, 1989, Exxon Valdez spill.
"There is marked difference between the two cases," said Long. "The Exxon Valdez accident occurred in an enclosed body of water, while the Aegean Sea crash did not."
COMMERCIAL FISHING HIT
Spanish authorities imposed a fishing ban almost immediately after the accident, which was expected to be lifted soon. Reuters reported that fishermen's unions are estimating losses to the local mussel fishing industry alone at $15 million.
Some local fisherman received compensation just last week for a similar accident at La Coruna in 1976, when the Urquiola tanker ran aground and exploded, leaking more than 71,000 bbl of crude into the sea. The resulting slick affected 120 miles of coastline.
London's Sunday Times newspaper reported that the Greek captain of the Aegean Sea was arrested and charged with failing to cooperate with Spanish authorities. The judge leading the investigation questioned members of the 28 man crew. The inquiry centers on the captain's alleged decision to proceed before a pilot from the port authority had reached the ship.
Greek consul to Spain Maria Jose Rodriguez said the captain and the pilot had been in constant contact. Rodriguez insisted that communication by radio was the normal procedure. Rafael Loberto, director general of the Spanish merchant navy, said it was "irregular" for the pilot not to be on board.
Copyright 1992 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
