Round-clock action to contain oil spill -- KPC

KUWAIT, Aug 22 (KUNA) -- Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) announced on Tuesday that a spill floating off Kuwait's southern coast had been contained.
The KPC said in a statement that contingency teams had taken all necessary measures to disintegrate the oil slick off the power and water desalination plants.
The corporation contacted the International Spill Control Organization (ISCO) for consultation and help in mapping out necessary plans to cope with the spill, it said, indicating that there were also contacts with oil companies operating in the Gulf region to try pin point source of possible leakage causing the formation of the floating oil.
Moreover, samples of the floating oil have been scooped up from the waters and sent to laboratories of the Kuwait Oil Company and a scientific institute. Furthermore, operation rooms of the national oil companies, emergency teams from the ministry of electricity and water, and other authorities have been activated.
Amid continuing meetings grouping officials of the competent authorities, necessary materials and equipment, namely rubber dinghies and pumpers have been secured, while personnel boarding helicopters are monitoring the oil spill.
The KPC indicated that large amounts of floating oil have been removed, amid recurring examination of water samples from Al-Zor station and the water assembly complex in southern Al-Zor. (end) mam.rk