About four barrels of heavy fuel oil has leaked from a pipeline at the Sol Petroleum terminal in St George’s.

A spokesman for the company said it shut down the pipeline as soon as the leak was discovered at about 8am on Tuesday and sent in its incident command team to start a clean-up of the area and the nearby water.

Jonathan Brewin, Sol Bermuda general manager, said: “We regret this incident and reaffirm our focus towards a prompt and satisfactory resolution.

“We reiterate Sol’s commitment to the health, safety and environment of the communities in which we operate.”

The spokesman added the incident was reported to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which joined Sol staff at the terminal to help manage the clean-up operation.

The terminal is close to the shoreline and the waters surrounding the St George’s area.

The spokesman said: “Sol is grateful for the support given by Bermuda Yacht Services and the fisheries section of DENR which assisted with the on-water recovery process.

“Sol confirms that it is working actively to ensure that the appropriate remedies and precautionary measures are implemented.”

The company said a “thorough assessment and comprehensive repair” of the line is to take place.