Equinor ASA is securing an oil spill at its South Riding Point oil storage terminal in the Bahamas that resulted from damage sustained during Hurricane Dorian, according to a Sept. 11 news release from the Norwegian firm.
Oil was moved from damaged tanks to other tanks. In addition, two trucks have started recovering and transporting bulk free-standing oil on the ground to one of the tanks at the terminal, and an oil boom was deployed to close the harbor at the terminal to prevent the spills from flowing out to sea.
Based on initial surveillance, there was no oil leak flowing out to sea, but a potential product was identified in open waters northeast of the terminal within Long Point Bight near the Little Abaco Island. Equinor said the product may have affected a section of the coastline.
Equinor will investigate and evaluate necessary actions regarding the potential product, including mobilization of equipment and resources.
Two vessels were mobilized for the cleanup operations, with 42 personnel onboard and onshore oil spill recovery equipment. The first vessel arrived at the terminal on Sept. 10 while the second vessel is expected to arrive on Sept. 12.
The company will also donate $1 million to one or more relief organizations involved in the response for the Bahamas.
The terminal has a storage capacity of 6.75 million barrels of crude and condensate and 10 tanks. It had 1.8 million barrels stored in three tanks during the hurricane and another seven tanks contained residual oil.
