Oil Leak Reported In Caspian Sea Near Azerbaijan Coast

An oil leak has been reported from an underwater pipeline in the Caspian Sea off the coast of Azerbaijan, Orda.kz reports, citing Report.az.

Preliminary findings suggest the leak was caused by mechanical damage to the pipeline.

Azneft’s emergency services received information about traces of oil pollution near Dubendi beach on June 19. Specialists then inspected the area between Pirallahi Island and the village of Dubendi using vessels and a helicopter. An oil slick was found during the search.

After the leak was discovered, the company stopped oil transportation through the damaged pipeline and set up an operational headquarters to deal with the accident.

Divers found mechanical damage to the underwater pipeline. The company said it may have been caused by contact with an external object, possibly an anchor.

Diagnostics showed that the source of the pollution was one of Azneft’s underwater oil pipelines. After the damage was found, repair and restoration work began immediately. The damaged pipeline will remain shut until the work is completed, which prevents further oil leakage into the sea,SOCAR said.

The company said specialists are continuing to repair the pipeline and clean polluted sections of the sea and coast. The work is being coordinated with Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Original author: Daria Malkova

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