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ENVIRONMENT REPORT
2015
page 42
5.4 Accidental Oil Releases Breakdown
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 oil (used for power generation and a lighter oil product) at just under 14 tonnes makes up the majority of
the mass of oil accidentally released on the UKCS in 2014 (see Figure 27). Of the number of oil-based products
in use or produced in the oil and gas industry, none of the other categories, such as crude oil, hydraulic oil and
lubricating oil, contributed more than ten per cent each to the total mass released.
However, over a longer time frame, the most released product by mass between 2011 and 2014 was crude oil,
with hydraulic oil, lubricant and diesel also making up a significant proportion of the amount spilled.
Figure 27: Mass of Accidental Oil Releases by Product Type
1.9 tonnes, 1% 8.3 tonnes, 4%
31 tonnes, 14%
36.9 tonnes,
17%
63.4 tonnes, 29%
74.7 tonnes,
35%
2011-2014
*Other includes small amounts of oils such as sludges, condensates and kerosene
Source: DECC July 2015
0.3 tonnes, <2%
2.6 tonnes, 13%
13.7 tonnes, 70%
1.5 tonnes, 8%
0.9 tonnes, 5%
0.6 tonnes, 3%
Waste
Other*
Diesel
Hydraulic Oil
Lubricant
Crude
2014