Monday, February 23, 2015

OIL SPILLS AT TARANAKI SITE IN NEW ZEALAND FROM THE FLOATING OIL STORAGE SHIP RAROA








FEBRUARY 23, 2015




Maritime New Zealand is monitoring a small oil spill off Taranaki's coast.



The ocean watchdog was alerted on Friday to a spill from the floating oil storage ship Raroa, which is operating in the Maari Field about 70km off the South Taranaki coast.




Maritime New Zealand spokeswoman Sandra Ford said up to 250 litres of oil spilt when a pipe on board the Raroa split during a routine transfer operation.



She said the field operator, Austrian oil company OMV, notified authorities immediately and was using a support boat to skim oil off the water at the spill site.




The slick, which is marked with a buoy, is now more than 10km from the platform site, she said.




"MNZ expects the oil to break up considerably and, if it finally hits the coast, it will more than likely present as small tar balls," Ms Ford said on Monday.




"If this happens, MNZ will liaise with the operator and the relevant regional council on clean-up options."




The spill is OMV's third at the Maari Field, following two spills reported in late 2010.




Jean Kahui, co-ordinator of anti-fracking group Frack Free Kapiti, said no new fracking projects should be allowed until the dangers of the activity are properly assessed.




"In the light of this oil spill, all issuing of offshore drilling permits need to stop, at least until a credible impact assessment have been completed, Kiwis have been consulted and a national policy statement has been developed," she said.