Spills from North Sea oil rigs reached a record high, according to new data.
In a report obtained by the Sunday Herald, spills reached their highest levels since records began in 2000.
The Sunday Herald obtained the UK Government report, which outlined the accidental oil and chemical released in 2014. 2015’s figures are not yet available.
It comes days after BP was thrust into the international spotlight, after confirming a spill from its Clair platform, located west of Shetland.
Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) compiled the most recent data, which outlined 601 accidental releases – a 14% rise year-on-year.
More than half of those (380) were oil spills – the highest since records began.
Faulty hoses, pipework leaks and corrosion were all blamed for the accidental releases.
Earlier this week, BP was forced to carry-out at least seven surveillance flights, after 95 tonnes of oil leaked from its Clair platform. The oil major attributed the spill to a “technical issue” but emphasized there were “no visible” signs of oil on the sea surface. Click here to see pictures from the surveillance flights.
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