SAUDI ARABIA/GULF: SAUDI OFFICIALS SAY THERE WILL BE A BIG ECOLOGICAL CATASTROPHE IF THE OIL SLICK IN THE GULF IS NOT BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL

Record ID: 862043

  • Title: SAUDI ARABIA/GULF: SAUDI OFFICIALS SAY THERE WILL BE A BIG ECOLOGICAL CATASTROPHE IF THE OIL SLICK IN THE GULF IS NOT BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL
  • Date: 29th January 1991
  • Summary: NEAR THE KUWAITI FRONTIER, SAUDI ARABIA (JANUARY 29, 1991) (VISNEWS) (SUBJECTED TO CENSORSHIP) SLV OIL WASHING ASHORE PAN/SLV DESALINATION PLANT (3 SHOTS) SLV OIL IN INLET CHANNEL (2 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 13th February 1991 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: NEAR THE KUWAITI FRONTIER, SAUDI ARABIA/VARIOUS LOCATIONS, GULF
  • City:
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: Environment,General
  • Reuters ID: LVA8QZDU4RRZ3SSQEDIO5V2OYCB6
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Saudi environment officials on Wednesday (January 30) said there would be a big ecological catastrophe if the oil slick released into the Gulf by the Iraqis were not brought under control.

    They said it would destroy fisheries and shellfish grounds and further deplete endangered species such as the sea cow and green turtle if it were not contained.

    The Japanese builders of Saudi Arabia's vital desalination plants, which supply most Saudi drinking water from the sea, said the facilities were not equipped to process oil-polluted water.

    The oil was expected to reach the biggest Saudi desalination plant, at Jubail, 240 kilometres (150 miles) from the spill's source in Kuwait, in several days.

    The slick contains an estimated 1.75 billion litres (460 million gallons, or 11 million barrels) of oil, making it the biggest spill ever. It began when Iraqis opened valves at Kuwait's main offshore loading terminal. United States Air Force F-llls bombed key pipeline junctions to stem the flow.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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