RAYONG: The Royal Thai Navy has deployed divers to assist Star Petroleum Refining Public Company Limited (SPRC) in clean-up operations and repairing the company's underwater pipeline that leaked crude oil into the sea.
The operation, expected to take 11 days, was launched following the Marine Department's approval for SPRC to seal the leaks.
About 12,000 litres of crude oil still remained in the pipeline, a navy source said on Wednesday.
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The first leak occurred on Jan 25, releasing some 47,000 litres of crude oil into the sea near Map Ta Phut in Rayong province. Another 5,000 litres were spilled on Feb 10.
Navy divers will gather aboard the Uniwise Rayong vessel to rehearse the operation and make preparations, the navy source said.
During the clean-up efforts, crew members will spray compounds to clear up the crude oil before sealing the leaks. Each diver will spend 15 to 20 minutes at a depth of about 25 to 30 metres.
According to SPRC, measures have been put in place to respond to incidents that may occur during the clean-up and repair operation, including the deployment of booms and vessels to intercept any new spill.