TOXIC North Sea oil spills have been “grossly” underestimated with the real levels double the officially reported figures in the past three years, according to a new report.
Research by the ocean conservation organisation Oceana has found that oil giants have benefited from a reporting loophole which allows them to not report the full extent of leaks.
Oil companies must report accidental oil spills but they are allowed to intentionally release “produced water” – a mix of water, oil and other toxic chemicals – under a permit.
Breaches of those permits have often been excluded from external analysis and scrutiny, Oceana’s researchers said.
But added together, the total oil spilled into UK waters since 2014 increased by 43%, and more than doubled between 2021-2024, the organisation found.
Oceana’s analysis also found that nearly a third of reports of “produced water” failed to include the volume of oil discharged, which the organisation argued meant that the true pollution levels were likely to be much higher.
And the amount of “produced water” released into the sea rose by 36% between 2016 and 2020, researchers found.
Even marine protected areas are affected, the study said, with the havens for rare UK sea creatures suffering from 248 spills from permit breaches between January 2021 and May 2024.
Almost half of those breaches failed to record the volume of oil discharged.
They added that the system of regulation for “produced water” appeared to be lax, with less than 2% of permits rejected in the past decade and less than 1% of reported permit breaches between January 2011 and May 2024 being investigated.
There were only two recorded convictions or fines for breaking the rules, researchers found. One incident saw BP fined £7000 – around 0.006% of its annual profits – for a spill in 2016.
Hugo Tagholm, executive director of Oceana UK, said: “Our investigation reveals a shambles of opaque and incomplete reporting that is concealing the true scale of the toxic oil pollution causing devastation for UK seas and marine wildlife.
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“I can’t know how a dolphin feels trying to hunt underwater with lung lesions, or a seabird that is drowning because its oiled feathers mean it cannot fly. But I do know it isn’t good enough.
“The oil industry has so far been allowed to mark its own homework on this with barely any oversight.
“The Government can and must now chart a new course, holding the industry accountable and ensuring that our seas get the protection they deserve.”
Dr Rosie Williams of the Zoological Society of London said that oil posed a “huge threat to marine life”. Toxins can give sea animals cancer, harm their immune systems and make it harder for them to breed.
She said toxic oil spills in UK waters also posed a health risk to people because these animals can be eaten by humans.
Dr Williams added: “We need the Government to do more to hold oil companies to account. The under-reporting from the industry on what toxins are being released into our ocean is an issue that must be urgently addressed.”
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Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie (below) said the report was “extremely concerning”.
He added: “We need to get a full picture of the extent of the damage that is being done to our waters and the world around us.
“We can never rely on fossil fuel companies to give us the full picture of the harm they are causing, and we need to ensure that we have strong rules in place and punishments for these kinds of breaches.”
A UK Government spokesperson said: “We have a comprehensive framework of environmental protection measures for offshore oil and gas activities.
“Every oil spill and discharge non-conformance is investigated by [the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning] proportionately, which can take enforcement action against operators if needed, including the use of fines or referral for criminal prosecution. We review and update guidance as required.”
Applications for permits are scrutinised by inspectors and oil and gas companies are required to prove they have attempted to prevent or minimise discharges into the sea.
“Any further extraction and use of fossil fuels must be consistent with Scotland’s climate obligations and just transition commitments. It’s vital that we take an evidence-based approach to the energy transition.
“As part of such an approach, the UK Government should ensure consideration and effective management of environmental, as well as climate, impacts from oil and gas production.
“The Scottish Government is committed to improving protections for our iconic marine wildlife. Through developing conservation strategies, we will be working with partners to drive forward action aimed at improving the conservation status of Scotland’s seabirds and cetaceans.
“We are currently consulting on the introduction of fisheries management measures in 20 offshore Marine Protected Areas to protect and restore ecosystems. However, environmental regulation of oil and gas production within these MPAs is the responsibility of the UK Government.”
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