"Oil Slick Covers the Sea"...Large-Scale Oil Spill Suspected at Iran's Crude Export Hub

Large-Scale Oil Spill Suspected Near Kharg Island
Possible Causes Include Pipeline Rupture and Storage Facility Overcapacity

Concerns over environmental pollution are mounting after satellite images confirmed a large-scale oil spill near Kharg Island, a key crude oil export hub for Iran.

On May 8 (local time), The New York Times, citing global oil spill monitoring firm Orbital EOS, reported that as of May 7, approximately 3,000 barrels of crude oil were believed to have leaked into the sea west of Kharg Island.

The affected area has been estimated at more than 50 square kilometers. The oil slick captured in satellite images is reportedly spreading southward, moving toward Saudi Arabia’s territorial waters.

The exact cause of the oil spill has not yet been identified. Experts have suggested the possibility of damage to crude oil storage tanks or pipelines, while also raising the possibility that Iranian authorities may have intentionally released oil to prevent storage facilities from reaching capacity.

Satellite images captured a suspected crude oil spill in the waters west of Horg Island, Iran's crude oil export base. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

An official from an independent data agency monitoring Iran's energy sector mentioned the possibility of a rupture in the subsea pipeline connecting offshore oil fields west of Kharg Island to collection facilities, explaining, "Aging pipelines have caused several leakage incidents in recent years."

Some analysts attribute the situation to the limits of Iran’s oil storage capacity, exacerbated by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes and maritime blockades. Professor Nima Shokri of Hamburg University of Technology in Germany stated, "An oil field is not a facility that can simply be switched off like a power plant," adding, "A lack of storage space may have pushed the entire system into a dangerous state."

There are also growing concerns about environmental damage. If the spilled oil reaches the coastline, it could inflict severe harm on marine ecosystems, including mangrove forests, coral reefs, seabirds, and sea turtles.

In contrast, Iranian state-run media have not officially reported on the incident, and Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an immediate response to related inquiries.

Located 483 kilometers northwest of the Strait of Hormuz and about 25 kilometers from mainland Iran, Kharg Island is home to Iran’s largest oil export terminal, built by U.S. oil company Amoco in the 1960s. Dozens of large storage tanks are situated on the southern part of the island. This site handles roughly 90% of Iran’s total crude oil exports and is considered a strategic stronghold, serving as a vital financial source for Iran’s war efforts.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.