dd5-e5371e500ba91566.pdf

This fact sheet from the Centre for Environmental Rights documents a chronological list of industrial incidents, accidents, and pollution events associated with the Engen and SAPREF refineries in South Durban between 1994 and 2011.

• The Engen refinery experienced numerous oil spills into local waterways, including the Badulla Canal, Umlaas Canal, and Stanvac Canal. For example, on 06 January 2001, the refinery spilled 1000 liters of oil into the Badulla Canal, and on 24 December 2002, approximately 20,000 liters of Marine gas oil and unleaded petrol spilled into a canal linking the refinery to Durban Harbour.
• Engen operations frequently resulted in air pollution and toxic emissions that impacted surrounding communities. In May 2005, an investigation by the SDCEA found that the eThekwini Health Dept.’s monitoring station at Settlers School recorded 64 exceedences of the 10-minute WHO guideline, meaning Engen violated its permit condition on 29 occasions during that period.
• The SAPREF refinery (operated by Shell/BP) had significant pipeline failures and oil spills. On 7 July 2001, a petrol leak of 1 million liters was discovered and reported by residents. Other incidents include a 15,000 liter marine fuel oil spill into Durban Harbour on 30 December 2001 and a 75,000 liter diesel and water release into the Island View storm water canal on 02 October 2002.
• SAPREF admitted to under-reporting its environmental impact; in February 2000, the company acknowledged it had been under-reporting Sulphur dioxide emissions by as much as 12 tonnes per day.
• Both refineries were associated with severe safety incidents and worker casualties. At Engen, a worker was killed on 17 May 2007 at the Island View storage tanks, and another was killed on 03 March 2011 in a reactor on the polymerization plant. At SAPREF, a fire on 27 November 2004 injured three people while they were de-spading a hydrocarbon flare line.
• Residents of Merebank, Wentworth, and Treasure Beach frequently reported health issues and distress due to 'rotten egg' smells (Hydrogen Sulphide) and black smoke from both refineries. Reports include residents feeling 'Drowsiness, Asphyxia' on 28 October 2008 and 27 July 2009, and children with asthma suffering further attacks during an automatic shutdown at Engen on 28 October 2006.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). dd5-e5371e500ba91566.pdf. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DD5.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. dd5-e5371e500ba91566.pdf. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DD5.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=dd5-e5371e500ba91566.pdf |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DD5.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrightsnddd5e5371e500ba91566pdf, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{dd5-e5371e500ba91566.pdf}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DD5.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }