Crude Oil Leak at TotalEnergies Refinery in Donges Pollutes the Loire
A crude oil leak was detected at the TotalEnergies refinery in Donges, Loire-Atlantique, on Saturday evening, November 23, 2024. The leak, caused by a 2 cm breach in a weld bead on a 30 cm diameter pipeline, resulted in the pollution of approximately 500 square meters of the Loire River. The Loire-Atlantique prefecture confirmed that the leak was identified around 10:50 p.m. and that immediate action was taken to contain the spill.
TotalEnergies reported that the flow of crude oil into the river was halted by 1:40 a.m. on Sunday, with no further leakage detected since 3:45 a.m. The company stated that the total quantity of crude oil released was less than 15 cubic meters. Authorities have deployed floating barriers to contain the spill, despite challenging weather conditions that complicated containment efforts. Fortunately, analyses conducted on the riverbanks showed no trace of hydrocarbons, and air quality remained unaffected.
The prefecture indicated that the iridescent waters resulting from the leak are expected to disperse naturally, aided by wind action, and that ongoing evaluations of the environmental impact are being conducted. TotalEnergies has expressed regret over the incident and is actively working to resolve the situation.
Previous Incidents and Ongoing Monitoring
This incident is not the first for the Donges refinery, which is classified as a Seveso high-threshold site. In December 2022, a significant leak resulted in the discharge of 700,000 liters of gasoline. The Donges facility, which spans nearly 350 hectares and employs around 650 people, is France's second-largest refinery, with a processing capacity of 11 million tons of crude oil annually. Following the recent leak, continuous monitoring has been established at the site to ensure safety and prevent further incidents.
As cleanup efforts continue, new analyses are scheduled to assess the situation's evolution and ensure the environmental integrity of the Loire River.
