Damage to a pipeline has led to pollution of the Caspian Sea.

An oil slick was discovered between Pirallahi Island and the village of Dubendi in the Caspian Sea. It is believed to have formed due to damage to a pipeline by an anchor. The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan reported the cessation of oil flows through the pipeline. Specialists from the Transparent World project reported three possible sources of pollution in the Caspian Sea, two of which were in Russia.

On June 19, the relevant services of the central office of Azneft Production Association (SOCAR) received information about the discovery of traces of oil pollution in the area of ​​Dubendi beach, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) reported.

During an initial survey of the waters between Pirallahi Island and the village of Dubendi using vessels and a helicopter, an oil slick was discovered. The source of the pollution was determined to be one of Azneft's underwater oil pipelines. Divers have discovered mechanical damage to the underwater oil pipeline. According to preliminary assessments, it was caused by contact with an external object, presumably an anchor. Repairs and restoration are underway. "Until their completion, the operation of the damaged pipeline has been suspended, which rules out further oil leaks into the sea," the statement said.

Efforts to eliminate the consequences of the incident, including cleaning the marine waters and coastal zone, are being carried out in close coordination between the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Azneft Production Association.

The Transparent World Project reported at least three cases of Caspian pollution based on a June 18 image. The slicks are presumably related to ship discharges. The authors of the project indicated that the largest probable ship discharge was detected in the Russian sector of the Caspian Sea, with an area of ​​1.41 km². A slick was also recorded in the Russian sector. An area of ​​0.37 km² has been discovered in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. A possible fragmented ship discharge with an area of ​​0.1 km² has been discovered, according to a report from June 19.