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Local Fuel – Shoreham Oil Terminal
Gasoline Ship Import – Layers of Protection Analysis
P & I Design Ltd
DOCUMENT NO: LF364002_RPT
2 Reed Street, Thornaby, UK, TS17 7AF
ISSUE: E DATE: 30.07.15
Tel: + 44 (0)1642 617444
PAGE 17 OF 38
Fax: + 44 (0)1642 616447
www.pidesign.co.uk4.1.2
Consequence to the Environment (Ref. PSLG Guidelines, Appendix 2, Clauses 51-53)
The environmental consequences resulting from a tank overflow may be direct (e.g.
pollution of aquifer by released substance) or indirect (pollution from fire fighting efforts).
The following summarises the ecological effects of fuel:
Gasoline:
Classified as Dangerous to the environment R51/53. Acute effects, but no
chronic effects. The effects on the natural environment of even a total spill are
considered to be slight to moderate. Bioaccumulation effect is not seen as
significant.
According to the Environment Agency (3) the deposits beneath the site are classified as a
Major Aquifer. These are highly permeable formations usually with known or probable
presence of significant fracturing. They may be highly productive and able to support large
abstractions for public supply and other purposes
.
Environment Agency records indicate
that the site is not located within a Total Catchment for a potable groundwater abstraction,
but a potable water abstraction is located approximately 1.2km northeast of the site.
A harbour is located directly south of the site with the English Channel beyond.
The site is also effectively built on flat ground, which limits the horizontal movement of
liquid releases.
The gasoline secondary containment is more than 300% of the largest tank capacity. If the
bund were to fail there is a concrete coping along the Quay side. The canal has lock gates
which would provide containment from the sea.
Storm water is collected via drains and gullies located on the terminal which is directed
into three separate three-stage interceptors located in the east, centre and west of the site
which are manually drained into the harbour.
The major environmental receptor of interest is thus the aquifer below the site.
With reference to Table 4 a risk tolerance criterion of 1 x 10
-6
/year is considered a
tolerable frequency for a single scenario major environmental consequence.
Possible environmental issues following a tank overfill event and ignition would be as
follows:
OFCE – overpressure damage
OFCE – thermal radiation damage
OFCE – harm from fuel / firewater run-off
Fire – thermal radiation damage
Fire – harm from fuel / firewater run-off
All events have the potential to escalate.
OFCE – overpressure damage
Due to the location of the facility and absence of significant local habitat (See Appendix 7)
it is not considered likely that overpressure damage would cause any significant threat to
the environment.