Pollution
Humain
Environnement
Economique

A diesel leak occurred around the base of a tank (capacity: 2900 m³) inside an oil depot. Pollution was detected during the morning, as diesel was oozing from the base in 3 spots. The tank contained 739 m³ (of which 549 m³ had been loaded the day before). 35 m³ of water were injected into the tank. A specialised firm was called to pump the basin and settling tank contents and then transfer the diesel from the faulty tank into an empty adjoining tank. According to material recordings, 11 m³ had spilled and 4.5 m³ were recovered.

The site began operations in 1972, but over the past few years, several incidents had occurred causing varying degrees of pollution. A soils study and installation of 5 piezometers (3 inside the site boundary, 2 outside), along with a pumping well, had already been carried out (between 1995 and 2002).

Subsequent to this latest event, the inspection authorities for classified facilities proposed various measures to the local Prefect, in acknowledgment of ageing installations, in calling for strengthening the prevention and monitoring measures considered inadequate. These measures are as follows:

  • the transmission of programmes to both verify other tanks by a competent body and seal the retention basins
  • conducting a hydrogeological study to characterise the impacts of this incident
  • defining an efficient pipe control and monitoring procedure (covering the various pipelines) implemented to transport hydrocarbons.