What happened

Perenco reported the loss of about 200 barrels of reservoir fluid from its Wytch Farm operation, comprising approximately 15% crude oil and 85% production fluid. The release entered Ower Bay in Poole Harbor and triggered a multi-agency response. Dorset Council reported no oil outside the contaminated area after 5 April 2023. A later Environment Agency investigation found that part of the pipe had corroded much faster than inspections indicated or expected; Perenco committed £6.1 million to response, clean-up, ecological surveys, affected parties and restoration measures.

When cited sources give different casualty, damage or spill figures for this event, they’re reported side by side above rather than merged into one number. See how confidence levels work.