Example of Shell's documented spills, fires and toxic releases since the 2003 Shell AGM

October 2003
SAPREF pipeline leaks 75,000 litres of diesel into Durban Harbour. Dead fish were found floating in the Harbour the next day. Monitoring data from the Settlers Monitoring Station show that SAPREF is partly responsible for exceeding sulphur dioxide emission limits.

24 December 2003
SAPREF refinery engulfs the community in huge clouds of black smoke. Residents are exposed to toxic gases affecting their health.

28 December 2003
SAPREF pipeline leaks marine fuel oil into Durban Harbour.

12 January 2004
SAPREF pipeline leaks approximately 20,000 litres of marine fuel into Durban Harbour, once again affecting marine life.

21 April 2004
Power failure at SAPREF shuts down steam boilers, causing flare gases to be burnt off, forming thick black soot. Local residents wake up to sirens at the refinery and a cloud of thick black smoke over their homes.

8 October 2004
An incident as a result of an electrical discharge during shutdown preparation esulted in a fire and injured two people. One person was treated and returned to work on Friday afternoon, the other one was hospitalised. 27 November 2004
Three personal were injured at the refinery when a fire occurred while they were de-spading a section of the hydrocarbon flare line in the central zone area. This was a planned activity to enable the hydro-desulphuriser unit to be commissioned after the scheduled maintenance shutdown. As is our standard requirement, a risk assessment was conducted prior to the start of the work. This identified the possibility of gas in the isolated section of the header and as a precaution breathing apparatus was an additional personal protective equipment requirement in the event of a gas release. The investigation this far suggests that liquid hydrocarbon was also present in the line and when the flange was loosened it ignited. 9 December 2004
Sapref released fine catalyst particulates from the separators and out of their stacks into the environment after experiencing problems during a start up phase. They have indicated that the release was non-hazardous. The release was visible to local residents who raised concerns about the incident.

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References:

October 2003 - April 2004: Friends of the Earth, Behinde the Shine, The Other Shell Report, p. 28.
8 October 2004 : Bobby Peak, groundWork, correspondence with Lora Rossler, Sustainable Development Manager, 11 October 2004.
27 November 2004: Bobby Peak, groundWork, c ommunication to the SDCEA by Margaret Rowe Communications Manager - SAPREF, 13 December 2004.
9 December 2004: Bobby Peak, groundWork, communication with Margaret Rowe, Communications