Government and scientists from the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) have teamed up to determine the extent of damage to the environment in Bailey's Bay after Tuesday's oil spill.

Oil was discovered leaking from a valve in a pipeline, owned by Esso, used to supply Belco's Pembroke plant with fuel oil, on Tuesday evening.

Additionally, the Minister of Environment, Telecommunications and E-Commerce, Neletha Butterfield, told the media yesterday that Esso was to bring in overseas staff to help alleviate the problem, by the end of the day.

"The leaking oil had collected in a manhole access and subsequently found its way out of that enclosure, into the ground and then into the waters of Bailey's Bay," Ms Butterfield stated."As of (Tuesday night) oil spill boom has been deployed to prevent the spread of oil on the water and padding had been put in place to soak up any oil which seeped out of the ground.

"We are pleased to inform the public that Esso, who is responsible for the pipeline is bringing in staff from overseas this afternoon to assist with the remediation of the sight and the Ministry applauds their quick response."

Director of the Department of Environmental Protection, Dr. Fred Ming said the site in question was located to the north of the Francis Patton Primary School and downplayed the extent of the damage.Dr. Ming added: "The Esso staff are continuing to contain the spill, it was not a large spill, at least not in the water.

"Oil continues to seep into the water from two or three points along the shoreline over a distance of about 100 feet."

Dr. Ming further explained the area affected is less than a quarter of a football field in size and did not get into open water.

There is a "very thin film" of oil on rocks on the shore and Dr. Ming emphasised there was no evidence that marine life had been harmed.

Dr. Ming added that a recent oil spill exercise, 'Operation Dragon', had been "very valuable in assisting with the management of this spill".

He did not believe that drinking water in the area was at risk for contamination, but could not rule out all risks to human health."In very small quantities, there continues to be an oozing of oil, a very small area with film on the surface, probably measuring about a metre by a metre at two to three points along the span of the shoreline.

"It's understood the last "pump" was given to Belco about a week ago, which lead Dr. Ming to estimate the leakage had occurred at a "very slow rate" for "several days."