Oil giant forced to pay £6m after major spill

An oil company has been forced to pay £6.1m to put right ecological damage caused by an oil spill.

A major incident was declared when a leak occurred at a pipeline operated by gas company Perenco, under Owers Bay at Poole Harbour in Dorset, in March 2023.

The firm spent millions on the initial response and clean-up and has introduced measures to prevent a repeat incident.

Its final compensation package agreed with the Environment Agency covers £2.6m on the early response, £2.4m for clean-up and £115k for ecological surveys.

About 200 barrels of oily water escaped from a pipeline at Wytch Farm oil field into Poole Harbour on 26 March 2023.

Operator Perenco said the cause was microbial corrosion in a buried pipeline.

Poole Harbour is the largest natural harbour in Europe and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its ecological importance.

Following the spill, the area had to be closed to the public, with swimmers, beachgoers, anglers and sailors urged to stay away.

Perenco's clean-up package has included £620,000 to affected parties and £400,000 to local wildlife projects and good causes.

Dorset Wildlife Trust was among the organisations to receive funding and its chief executive Brian Bleese, has said it will go towards "a suite of high-impact conservation projects that improve water quality, restore wetlands, and support nature's recovery across Poole Harbour and its wider catchment".

The Friends of Dolphin said the funding will help it continue offering free, accessible boat trips for people with disabilities around Poole Harbour.

Wild Bird Rescue Dorset said it will improve bird care facilities and create safer recovery spaces.

Poole Harbour Commissioners said the money will support conservation work, improve access to the harbour and deliver long-term benefits for the environment and local communities.