Oil spills increase in Siberia

SIKU CIRCUMPOLAR NEWS SERVICE

The number of accidents at oil fields in Siberia is up, with numerous oil spills causing serious environmental damage. Many wetlands in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area that were home to spring flowers and migratory water fowl are reportedly now covered by a thick layer of oily scum.

About 2,000 small and medium-sized accidents occur in the region’s oilfields every year. Old, rotting and rusting pipes are responsible for some spills, but one recently laid pipe near the Ob River has apparently already broken twice.

Clean-up efforts are meager and ineffective. One fraudulent enterprise had 14 contracts to carry out remediation projects. However, the money was divvied up between the partners — and no work was done.