The leakage occurred on July 27, about 4 kilometers off the coast of Kharg Island, IRNA reported.
Tar balls (little, dark-colored pieces of oil) have been seen scattered over an area of 20 kilometers between Bandar Genaveh and Bandar Deylam (both in Bushehr Province).
According to Nader Pasandideh, head of the HSE department of the Ports and Maritime Organization, the Iranian Offshore Oil Company sent technicians to find the leak location and took quick measures to fix it.
IOOC is cleaning two oil spills by spraying oil spill eater, which is the world’s most environmentally safe and cost effective bioremediation product, for the mitigation of hazardous waste, spills and contamination.
When crude oil floats on the sea surface, its physical characteristics change. During the first few hours of a spill, the oil spreads into a thin slick. Winds and waves tear the slick into smaller patches that are scattered over a much wider area.
IOOC is in charge of developing oil reservoirs in the Persian Gulf, including Abouzar, Forouzan, Hendijan, Bahregansar, Reshadat, Soroush, Norouz, Salman and Doroud fields.
Abouzar Oilfield is located 76km southwest of Kharg Island – Iran’s main oil loading and export terminal. Crude oil output from Abouzar is 240,000 barrels per day, making it one of the major offshore oilfields. The field's output is moved via subsea pipelines to Kharg Island.
Swift Action
The oil-rich Persian Gulf is grappling with manmade pollution, as a result of both marine- and land-based activities among others. Swift action is necessary to reduce the pollution and preserve its fragile ecosystem.
Supplying about 30% of global oil demand, the Persian Gulf provides high quality oil extracted with less effort, and therefore less expense, compared to the other parts of the world.
The Persian Gulf is connected to international waters through the Strait of Hormuz. Roughly 14 million barrels of oil are supplied to the international markets every day, and 50,000 vessels - mostly oil tankers – traverse between the Persian Gulf and international waters annually,
After oil spills, untreated wastewater constitutes the biggest threat to the Persian Gulf. Industrially active countries around the gulf are responsible for the vast majority of wastewater that finds its way into the gulf.
In Iran, Khormusa, Imam Khomeini Port, the city of Bushehr, and Nayband Gulf are among the most polluted areas.