Probe into Poole Harbour oil spill continues seven months on

Floating barriers are likely to remain in place "for some time", the Environment Agency has said

The Environment Agency (EA) has said it is still working to understand events surrounding an oil spill at a harbour seven months after it occurred.

About 200 barrels of oily water escaped from a pipeline at Wytch Farm oil field into Poole Harbour on 26 March.

An EA spokesperson said the agency needed to understand the "root cause" to "minimise any chance of a similar occurrence".

Field operator Perenco said clean-up at the source was at the final stage.

The company added it was making "good progress".

Poole Harbour is the largest natural harbour in Europe and about 5,000 acres of it is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Following the spill, the area had to be closed to the public, with swimmers, beachgoers, anglers and sailors urged to stay away. Poole Harbour Commissioners said some "slightly oiled" birds were spotted.

The pipeline has since been sealed.

The EA said it was working closely with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to find out the cause, and with Natural England to restore the salt marsh near the spill location.

It added: "Sampling has shown that there does not appear to be a significant impact on the wider harbour, and that the spill was mainly contained to the area at the head of Shotover Moor, where remediation work is being targeted.

"We are entering the final remediation stages of the area around the initial spill site.

"This includes the removal of vegetation and oil-contaminated sediments."

It added floating barriers were likely to remain in place "for some time", and that Perenco would be required to carry out "ongoing monitoring and reporting" to ensure the reversal of any damage.

The clean-up operation continues following the spill

The leak came from an oil field and processing facility that produces about 14,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

Environment minister Lord Benyon previously told the House of Lords the government would ensure Perenco paid for the damage caused.

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