THE MOONIE–BRISBANE PIPELINE SPILL—ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY

Abstract

In March 2003, a rupture to the Moonie–Brisbane pipeline (MBP) at Lytton (Brisbane) resulted in a spill of 1.9 million litres (7,000 barrels) of crude oil to two hectares of land and 1.5 km of mangrove-lined drainage channels and small creeks near the Port of Brisbane.

Due to the swift, coordinated response, no oil reached the Brisbane River and the bulk of the oil spilled was recovered. The response effort included isolation and evacuation of the affected area, containment and recovery of the crude oil and the development and implementation of a clean-up plan (which identified and prioritised response efforts in four primary areas).

Following the emergency response a comprehensive program of remediation and monitoring was implemented, with focus on the recovery of the affected waterways and remediation of affected land.

This paper describes the methods employed during the emergency response and their effect on the:

initial impact on the environment;

development and implementation of rehabilitation and remediation options; and,

potential for ecosystem recovery.