Russia’s natural resources regulator assesses damage from Black Sea oil spill at $63 million

The oil spill that took place off Russia’s Black Sea coast in August caused 4.48 billion rubles ($63.3 million) in damage, Rosprirodnadzor executive Svetlana Rodionova reported on Wednesday, October 20. 

The spill happened at a Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) oil terminal near the port city of Novorossiysk on August 7. Two days after the accident, the company released a statement claiming that an equipment breakdown caused 12 cubic meters of oil (12,000 liters) to spread over 200 square meters (2,153 square feet). Scientists later reported that the contaminated area was at least 400 times larger than initially estimated. 

Following the accident, Russian investigators carried out searches at the CPC. The Investigative Committee classified its investigation under felony marine pollution charges that carry punishments of up to two years in prison. 

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium told Interfax on Wednesday that it does not agree with the Russian natural resource regulator’s assessment. The company also promised to challenge Rosprirodnadzor court, as soon as it receives an official notice from the agency with the damage assessment.