Egypt’s Ministry of Local Development and Environment said it had contained an oil spill that stretched for around three kilometres off Ras Badran near Abu Redis in South Sinai and reached parts of the public beach, after authorities identified the source as a crude oil production pipeline and repaired the leak.
Local Development and Environment Minister Manal Awad said pollution-control teams and divers were continuing clean-up operations and collecting contaminated materials, while environmental monitoring remained underway to assess the impact and ensure that no new traces of oil appeared.
The incident was reported after the Suez branch of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency detected oil slicks in the marine area around two kilometres from Ras Badran. A field team was subsequently dispatched in coordination with South Sinai authorities and other relevant agencies.
Monitoring showed that traces of the spill had extended for around three kilometres and reached parts of the public beach in Abu Redis. Samples were collected for laboratory testing and oil fingerprinting to identify the source and assess the impact on marine and coastal ecosystems.
After partially halting some offshore production platforms and inspecting facilities in the area, authorities traced the leak to a crude oil production pipeline at Ras Badran and identified the precise point of leakage.
Petrobel then deployed a specialised offshore pipeline maintenance vessel to carry out repairs and tests. The ministry said subsequent inspections confirmed that the line had been sealed and no further leakage was detected. Production is expected to resume after final safety checks.
Awad ordered a comprehensive technical review of the pipeline to determine the root cause of the leak and identify measures needed to prevent similar incidents.
Environmental teams will continue assessing water quality, the shoreline and marine life, as well as any potential impact on nearby coastal facilities and tourist resorts.
The ministry said legal action would be taken against the party found responsible, while compensation and fines would be determined based on laboratory tests, field inspections and the final assessment of environmental damage.
