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ENVIRONMENT REPORT
2016
5.3 Accidental Oil Releases Breakdown
Releases by Oil Type
Determining the oil product type is an important element of an oil spill response, as it enables understanding of
how the release will behave in the marine environment under varying conditions. Diesel and light oils will rapidly
break up and evaporate when they are released. More persistent oil spills, such as crude oil, will be monitored and
response operations take place as appropriate. Every offshore installation must have an oil pollution emergency
plan (OPEP), approved by BEIS, setting out arrangements for responding to incidents to prevent pollution or to
minimise its effect.
In 2015, lubricating oil and crude oil made up a significant proportion of the mass of oil accidentally released on the
UKCS with 3.2 tonnes (19 per cent) and 3.0 tonnes (18 per cent), respectively. Other types that include kerosene,
sludges and mineral oils contributed 22 per cent, while diesel and hydraulic oil contributed 2.4 tonnes (14 per cent)
and 2.1 tonnes (13 per cent), showing that there is a relatively even split between the different types of oil release.
Over a longer timeframe, the most released product by mass between 2010 and 2015 was crude oil, with
condensate also making up a significant proportion due to a single event in 2012. Diesel and lubricating oil
contributed the most after these two groups.