A crude oil leak was detected at the TotalEnergies refinery in Donges (Loire-Atlantique) on Saturday evening, reports France Bleu Loire Océan. According to the prefecture, the incident materialized as “a 2 cm breach on a weld seam” creating a “flow net in the Loire and an iridescence phenomenon on a surface of approximately 500 m² in the river”.
The authorities and teams on site quickly intervened to isolate the defective pipe and place the area concerned in confinement. No injuries were reported but continuous surveillance was put in place on the site.
“The Donges refinery regrets the inconvenience caused and is doing everything possible to resolve the situation as quickly as possible,” TotalEnergies said. Work was still being carried out this Sunday to drain the defective pipe by injecting water. The leak has stopped: no more flow of crude oil has flowed into the Loire since 3:45 a.m. An oil collection device was installed at the leak, specifies the local media.
Furthermore, water contaminated by hydrocarbons should “disperse naturally and be carried back, by the action of the wind, onto the banks” indicates the prefecture. New analyzes should be carried out this Sunday to determine the evolution of the situation. Last March, the Donges site, France's second largest refinery, was shut down entirely due to “corrosion and leaks”.
