Shell Singapore charged over Pulau Bukom oil leaks, failure to report them immediately

The discharge occurred between 9.30am on Dec 26, 2024 and 8.30am on Dec 28, 2024.

Shell is accused of failing to report this incident immediately and flagging it only at about 11.50am on Dec 26, 2024.

Regulations governing the prevention of sea pollution require occupiers of such refineries to report incidents like this “without delay and to the fullest extent possible”, the charge read.

Past reports stated that a mixture of oil and water, known as “slop”, was leaked from Shell’s land-based pipeline into the sea between Bukom Island and Bukom Kecil in the October incident.

Shell worked on clean-up efforts along with the authorities, with oil absorbent booms pre-emptively deployed at places like Sentosa, Labrador Nature Reserve and East Coast Park.

In December 2024, government agencies said Shell had shut down an oil processing unit at Pulau Bukom to facilitate investigations into a suspected leak.

On Tuesday, the court heard that Shell is also facing prosecution by the National Environment Agency over the same incidents.

A representative for Shell sought an adjournment of eight weeks, saying the company required time to take internal instructions and to appoint counsel.

The business associated with the oil spill was divested in 2025, and additional time is needed to locate historical records, she said.

She added that Shell needs time to properly understand and respond to the charges.