A major incident has been declared in Dorset after 200 barrels of reservoir fluid leaked into the water at Poole Harbour.
Britons have been urged to avoid using the water and beaches in the area until further notice.
Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC), who regulate activities on the harbour, said a leak occurred at a pipeline operated by gas company Perenco, under Owers Bay on Sunday.
PHC said: "It is estimated that approximately 200 barrels of reservoir fluid has been released into the water column in Poole Harbour.
Some of the spilt fluid has since been recovered
PA
"Anyone who has come into contact with the spill should wash immediately with soap and water.
"If eyes have come into contact with the spill, they should be rinsed with water."
Perenco, the UK’s largest onshore oil field, said a “small” amount of reservoir fluid - consisting of 85 per cent water and 15 per cent oil - escaped from its pipeline.
Some of the fluid has already been recovered after specialist teams were mobilised to contain the spill.
A "full investigation" is to be held into how the leak occurred.
According to Poole Tourism, Poole is Europe’s largest natural harbour and a site of nature conservation, with many international protections in place.
The harbour is also a Ramsar site which recognises wetlands of international importance, particularly for wildfoul, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) and a Special Protection Area (SPA).
Franck Dy, Perenco UK’s Wytch Farm general manager, said: "Any spill is an extremely serious matter and a full investigation will be launched to ascertain what happened in Poole Harbour.
"It is important to stress that the situation is under control, with the discharge of fluids having been stopped and the spill is being contained."
Britons have been urged to avoid the water
PA
Philip Broadhead, the leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, said in a statement: "The Wytch Farm oil field in the Purbecks has been operating since 1979 and is one of the largest onshore oil fields in Europe.
"We have today been advised by the operators that there has been a leak from the facility.
"Whilst this has been contained, we are told that oil has escaped into the water and surrounding area.
"We are liaising closely as part of long-established mechanisms with a variety of parties as this situation unfolds.”
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "We have received reports of a large amount of oil in Poole Harbour and we are supporting the port authority and other partners in responding to this incident."
