Hibernia power outage results in 2,200-litre oil spill

A power outage on the Hibernia platform Saturday evening resulted in about 2,200litres of oil spilling into the ocean.

The Hibernia Management and Development Company (HMDC) confirmed the platform lost power, causingwater sprinkler systems to activate.

The sprinklers caused the waste containment drain system, which contained water and some oil, to overflow onto the platformand into the ocean, the company said in a statement.

HMDC estimated about2,200litresof oil has spilled into the ocean, based ona surveillance flight carried out Sunday morning.

A previous news release said 150 litres, or about one barrel, of oil had spilled, based on the sheenon the surface of the water observed from the platform.

The company said there would be a second flight Sunday afternoonand updated estimate would be releasedbased on that flightinformation.

A vesselhas also deployed spill response equipment, the company said, while two other vessels are containing the oil.

All employees safe, company says

The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board and Canadian Coast Guard have been notified.

According to HMDC, power has since been restored, all employeesare safe and production has been shut down.

The spill comes after an estimated 12,000 litres of oil and waterspilled July 17, resulting in oil production shutting downfor nearly a month.

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