Environment Report 2016

The mass of high hazard chemicals accidentally released in 2015 (45.9 tonnes) remains relatively consistent with 2014 when 40.2 tonnes were released. 45.3 tonnes of the high hazard chemicals released last year came from a single incident when a hydraulic fluid was released after failure of a subsea control module. This is a water-based hydraulic fluid that holds a SUB warning and is currently being phased out of use on the UKCS. It is important to note that this product is largely composed (94 per cent) of PLONOR substances, but includes 0.8 per cent OCNS category A substance, which gives it its high hazard category status. This equates to 0.36 tonnes of category A chemicals being released.

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2

Figure 30: Total Mass of Chemical PON1s Reported in 2015 by Hazard Category

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26.7 tonnes, 12%

76.4 tonnes, 34%

4

PLONOR

45.9 tonnes, 20%

5

Low

Medium

High

6

Unattributable

4.3 tonnes, 2%

7

71.9 tonnes, 32%

Source: BEIS July 2016

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45