The Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa (PetroSA) say they have found evidence yesterday of a leak on one of their pipelines that runs from an offshore platform to the refinery in Mossel Bay.

According to PetroSA the leak emanates from the 8” NB (Nominal Bore) condensate pipeline that runs from the offshore FA platform.

“The leak was observed on the onshore section in the vicinity of Nautilus Bay at about 90 meters elevation and about 500 meters away from the shoreline.”

The quantity of leaked material, and the extent of contamination is not yet known. With PetroSA saying further investigative work is required to determine the exact location of the leak and determine how it will be repaired.

The company say that no immediate threats to public health are anticipated, and that the effort to minimise the environmental impact is their ‘top priority’.