Rennes (AFP) – A “crude oil leak” from the TotalEnergies refinery in Donges is polluting “an area of 500 m2” of the Loire, the Loire-Atlantique prefecture said on Sunday, which it says is “partially contained”. “.
“The TotalEnergies refinery in Donges yesterday afternoon (Saturday afternoon, NLDR) detected a crude oil leak at the elbow on a line 30 cm in diameter,” the prefecture announced in a press release published on Sunday. she activated “all state services (…) immediately”.
“The leak came about as a 2 cm break on a welding seam”, which created “a flow problem that caused an iridescence of a surface of about 500 m2 in the Loire”, assigned to the prefecture.
“This area could be partially covered by a double protection system through floating huts despite the climatic conditions that make it difficult to cover this iridescent area,” she said.
The incident was discovered at 10:50pm on Saturday, TotalEnergies said in a press release on Sunday. “The flow of crude oil into the Loire was stopped “at 1:40 a.m.” during the night and “the system was completed in the morning (Sunday) at 8:50 a.m.,” the company said.
According to the prefecture, it is “since 3:45 a.m.” on Sunday that “no more flow of crude oil has entered the Loire” and “interventions” have been launched “to contain the leak- enter permanently”.
“The amount of products that escaped into the Loire is less than 15 m3”, according to TotalEnergies.
“Analysis carried out on the banks of the Loire revealed “no trace of hydrocarbon” and “no anomaly in the air either” was recorded, the company said.
“The iridescent waters should be dispersed naturally and brought back, by the action of the wind, to the banks,” the prefecture had previously stated, ensuring that the assessment would continue environmental impact of this leak.
In December 2022, a leak from this refinery, the high level of Seveso, caused the flow of 700,000 liters of gasoline.
The Donges platform, which occupies an area of almost 350 hectares and where 650 workers work, is the group’s second refinery in France, after that in Normandy, in Gonfreville -l’Orcher (Seine-Maritime), according to the group’s website. Total energy.
The Donges site has a processing capacity of 11 million tons of crude oil per year, for a storage capacity of 2.2 million m3 (crude oil and finished products), according to the same source.
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2024-11-24 19:24:00
#Pollution #Loire #oil #spill #Total #Donges
Dr. Dupont, what are the potential implications for the Loire River’s ecosystem, including its flora and fauna, in the long term, even if the visible oil disperses?
## World Today News Interview: Donges Oil Leak
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today we’re discussing the recent oil leak at the TotalEnergies refinery in Donges, France, and its impact on the Loire River. We’re joined by two distinguished guests:
* **Dr. Marine Dupont**, an environmental scientist specializing in water pollution and its effects on ecosystems, and
* **Olivier Dubois**, a representative from TotalEnergies responsible for environmental safety and remediation.
Thank you both for joining us.
**Section 1: The Incident**
* **Interviewer**: Dr. Dupont, could you explain to our viewers the potential environmental risks posed by a crude oil leak of this magnitude into a river like the Loire?
* **Interviewer**: Mr. Dubois, TotalEnergies has stated that the leak was contained relatively quickly. Can you walk us through the timeline of events and the steps taken to mitigate the spill’s immediate impact?
* **Interviewer**: Dr. Dupont, given TotalEnergies’ claim that the iridescent waters will disperse naturally, do you share that optimism? What are the possible long-term consequences even if the oil disperses?
**Section 2: Responsibility and Accountability**
* **Interviewer**: Mr. Dubois, this incident follows a much larger gasoline leak at the same refinery in December 2022. What steps have been taken since then to ensure the safety of the refinery and prevent future incidents?
* **Interviewer**: Dr. Dupont, what do you think are the key responsibilities of companies like TotalEnergies in preventing environmental disasters? Should stricter regulations be put in place regarding the operation of such refineries?
**Section 3: Transparency and Public Trust**
* **Interviewer**: Mr. Dubois, how does TotalEnergies plan to communicate with the local community affected by this spill and ensure transparency throughout the remediation process?
* **Interviewer**: Dr. Dupont, how can we build public trust in industries dealing with hazardous materials, especially in light of repeated incidents like this?
**Closing**
* **Interviewer**: Thank you, Dr. Dupont and Mr. Dubois, for shedding light on this important issue. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between industrial activity and environmental protection. We hope this discussion has provided our viewers with a better understanding of the complex challenges involved.
**Additional Notes:**
* Throughout the interview, encourage both guests to challenge each other’s perspectives respectfully and offer constructive solutions.
* Allow for pauses and reflections to ensure thoughtful responses.
* Conclude by summarizing the key takeaways and emphasizing the importance of continued dialog and action.
