At 11:00, a release of 3 000 l of diesel oil was detected from an drain (transfer) pipeline connecting a large storage tank installation and a ship bunker installation. The 20 years old pipeline presented a damaged area of approx. 2 mm diameter on the bottom side of the pipeline, and was clearly caused by external corrosion, which had been facilitated by the absence of heating in the isolation system and the use of a standard pipe wall thickness.

The supply of the pipeline-section involved was immediately shut off, and a clamp was applied to the pipeline. Other immediate measures (use of vehicles carrying suction devices, absorber oil barriers, shutting -off the drainage ditch), limited the diesel spread to 50 m². About 20 m3 of polluted soils were removed and replaced, at a cost of about 7 500 euros.

All drainage points along the pipelines (those in use for naphtha, straight run gasoline) should be isolated and protected against corrosion. Each product pipeline should be pressure-tested after repair and preservation of the drainage points.