Spills of crude oil in Texas faces a multi-million dollar losses

Houston ship channel partially reopened after three days of liquidation of consequences of leak of fuel oil due to the collision of the bulk carrier and oil tankers.

The accident, recall, occurred on 22 March, resulting in the water got about 640 tons of oil products. Environmental and economic damage yet to be assessed, but experts say the millions of dollars.

According to various estimates, in the ongoing rescue and clearing works involved about 30 auxiliary vessels and about 500 people. Collection of oil products is greatly complicated by the strong wind and excitement.

Since the accident in the area adjacent to port waters accumulated about 100 vessels waiting for permission to leave and to enter. According to representatives of the coast guard, on the normalization of the traffic of ships, it could take another three days. Currently, the movement in the channel limited navigation allowed barges and ships ferry lines from 7 am to 7 PM.

A temporary shutdown of the Houston channel is not accidentally caused a recent growth spurt in global prices of oil. The canal is the main artery of the country and a major oil transit point USA. Every day the port handles about 70 ships and 300 to 400 tugs and barges with the annual cargo volume more than 200 million tons.

According to various analysts, the economic damage from the suspension of the port will amount to several million dollars. Currently, analysts note the alignment of the market, but the voltage remains the lack of news about the full restoration of the port and, especially, according to messages of news agencies, against the background of statements from major U.S. refineries on the reduction of imports.

According to information from industry portal Mortrans.info the tug Miss Susan, which carried out the towing of the barge has a bad reputation over the last ten years, the tug was seen in 18 violations associated with collisions and other misconduct, including the case when a tugboat ran the command without a license. The tug and barge are owned by Kirby Inland, which is one of the largest carriers in the United States. The company's operating profit for 2013 increased by 19.5% in comparison with 2012 and amounted to 436 million dollars. The company has already stated that it will cover all costs associated with the rescue work.





Environmental damage

According to official data, the main oil slick has formed about 10 miles from the shore, drifting from the Houston channel to the Matagorda Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. According to the authorities, this should limit the negative impact on the Bay of Galveston, which is a favorite destination of migratory birds. However, environmentalists are sounding the alarm – the incident may result in contamination of several nearby nature reserves, some of which were closed in connection with the incident.

Already reported numerous specimens of birds found dead, as well as the presence of a large number of dead fish in the area of the accident.

According to the Texas Tribune, fell into the water marine fuel grade RMG 380, which is characterized by stickiness and increased weight. This means that instead of evaporating from the water surface as petrol, this fuel type will sink, remaining in the environment for several months or even years.

Official and unofficial statistics on leaks of petroleum products are very different in Russia. According to Rosprirodnadzor, as a result of accidents on oil fields annually in the environment translates not less than 50 thousand tons of oil and formation water. Oil companies call another number – no more than 10 thousand tons of oil and oil products. Independent ecologists give a very different rating – more than 1.5 million tons.





Source: www.ridus.ru