Oil refinery leak causes oil sheen on Delaware River

An oil spill that took place at a refinery in Delaware City is being investigated after an oil sheen was visible on Delaware River following the incident. Environmental officials are investigating the refinery, which is operated by PBF Energy, a New Jersey-based company.

The sheen was spotted floated on the surface of the river on Tuesday (August 27th) after oil was found by workers at the refinery in an effluent channel. The channel is used to discharge treated wastewater into the river. According to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, gas oil had leaked through the storm water collection and wastewater treatment system at the plant.

The leaked gas oil created a 50-by-500 foot oil sheen on the Delaware River, which was seen by workers. However, according the refinery, the majority of the oil was stopped from entering the river by equipment that is in place in case of such a leak. The sheen was then contained through the use or absorbents, booms and skimmers, in an effort to remove all traces of oil from the river.

According to David Small, deputy secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, a heat exchanger leak that is used during crude oil processing caused the oil to leak through the water systems and enter the effluent channel. The refinery has said that the source was quickly located by workers and shutdown to avoid any further incident.

Michael Karlovich, spokesperson for PBF Energy, said that the leak had only involved some 20 gallons of partially refined petroleum. The problem was discovered around 11.10pm local time on Tuesday by refinery workers and dealt with incredibly quickly. Following this the sheen was located and swift action was taken to clean it up and notify the relevant parties.

The leak is reasonably small considering the size the oil refinery, which is able to process some 191,000 barrels of crude oil each day.