SUNOCO OIL PIPELINE LEAKS IN OHIO NATURE PRESERVE

March 18 - A major oil pipeline owned by Sunoco Logistics Partners LP leaked thousands of gallons of crude oil into a nature preserve in southwest Ohio late on Monday.

Between 7,000 and 10,000 gallons (26,000-38,000 liters) of sweet crude leaked into the Oak Glen Nature Preserve about a quarter of a mile from the Great Miami River, according to early estimates from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.    Reuters    Read more

17/03/2014 ​ON THIS DAY IN 1958 THE IMO CONVENTION ENTERED INTO FORCE, LAUNCHING THE GLOBAL ORGANIZATION THAT HAS SUCCESSFULLY STRIVEN TO MAKE SHIPPING SAFER, MORE SECURE AND MORE ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY EVER SINCE.

EUROPE: LICENCE TO DRILL? ONLY IF FIRMS CAN PAY FOR SPILLS, SAY ENVIRONMENT MEPS

Oil firms must be held liable for the costs of any potential environmental damage - and have the means to pay - or else be denied licences to drill in EU waters, said environment committee MEPs voting on draft offshore oil and gas safety legislation on Wednesday.

"Legislation should more clearly require operators to put in place the financial guarantees necessary to cover the costs of clean up and compensation in the event of a major accident. This is in line with a key principle of EU environmental legislation - that the polluter should pay", said rapporteur Justas Paleckis (S&D, LT).

The new legislation will set minimum European standards for offshore oil and gas safety, regulating licensing, emergency plans and decommissioning of platforms. Operators will be obliged to reduce the risk of a major accident to the greatest extent possible.

MEPs tightened draft provisions on liability. Member state authorities should only grant licences to firms to explore and exploit offshore oil and gas if they have "adequate financial security" enabling them to pay for "full clean up or compensation" if there is fallout from their activities, especially for any environmental damage, says the committee.

Authorities should take into account companies' prior involvement in incidents worldwide - and the transparency and effectiveness of their responses - when granting licenses, said a majority within the committee.

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) should have a beefed-up role, with oversight powers for inspections and the capacity to provide member states with technical and scientific advice, or help in the event of a spill, say MEPs.

The environment committee approved its opinion by 55 votes to 10, with no abstentions. The committee shares responsibility for the draft legislation with the industry and energy committee, which is due to vote on 8 October.

Final approval of the legislation will require agreement between Parliament (in plenary) and member states (in Council).  

Source: European Parliament News
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pressroom/content/20120917IPR51502/html/Licence-to-drill-Only-if-firms-can-pay-for-spills-say-environment-MEPs

USA: OIL IN NEW GULF SLICK MATCHES THAT OF 2010 SPILL

October 11 - The oil in a slick detected in the Gulf of Mexico last month matched oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill two years ago, the Coast Guard said Wednesday night, ending one mystery and creating another.

“The exact source of the oil is unclear at this time but could be residual oil associated with the wreckage or debris left on the seabed from the Deepwater Horizon incident,” the Coast Guard said.

The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/oil-in-new-gulf-slick-matches-that-of-2010-spill/2012/10/10/1f2b937c-1336-11e2-be82-c3411b7680a9_story.html

S. KOREA LABELS CHEMICAL LEAK AREA 'DISASTER' ZONE

October 8 - The South Korean government on Monday designated an area hit by a toxic chemical leak as a "special disaster" zone, after more than 3,000 people were treated for ailments ranging from nausea to chest pain.

The September 27 incident at a chemical plant near the southeastern city of Gumi resulted in the leakage of eight tonnes of hydrofluoric acid that caused widespread damage to crops and livestock.

Terra Daily http://www.terradaily.com/reports/S_Korea_labels_chemical_leak_area_disaster_zone_999.html

NIGERIA OIL SPILLS:SHELL REJECTS LIABILITY CLAIM

Four Nigerian farmers, seated in a Dutch court on Thursday, accuse Shell of damaging their livelihood. The case could set an important precedent.

October 11 - The Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell has rejected claims by four Nigerian farmers that it should pay compensation for damage to their land. The farmers are suing the company in a civil court in The Hague, claiming oil spills ruined their livelihoods.

Shell's lawyers told the court it could not be held liable because most spills
were caused by criminal damage.

BBC News
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19905694