Brent Spar - dimensions

The Brent Spar: facts and figures

Move the mouse over the diagram of the Brent Spar to reveal information on its dimensions and capacity or click for a text only version. Then answer the questions at the bottom of the page.

diagram with rollovers: Brent Spar; Click for text description

Total mass of structure: 14,500 tonnes

The Brent Spar: built in 1976, 147m in height and 29m in diameter.

Crude oil storage tank capacity: 50,000 tonnes.

Remaining after decommissioning: 56 tonnes of lead and other heavy metals; estimated 50 tonnes of oils and wax in tanks; low level radio activity in pipes.

Source: Shell

Try these questions

How tall was the Brent Spar?

Greenpeace argued that there
was a considerable amount of
radio active material left in the
pipes and tanks. This would
cause pollution if dumped
into the sea.

This is the right answer
according to Shell.
There were low levels of radio
active materials remaining in
the pipes and tanks.

Sorry but that's not right.
Check the information on
the diagram and choose
again.

Yes - you are correct.
Shell and Greenpeace estimates varied quite a lot but this is the independent value.

Sorry - that's not right.
Look at the total mass
of the structure and also the
mass of oil.

Yes - that's right.
14,500 tonnes of structure and
50,000 tonnes of oil.

Sorry - that's not right.
Take another look at the
diagram and choose again.

Excellent - you are correct.
The structure weighed 14,500 tonnes but it could hold a lot more oil.

Sorry, that's not right.
Look at the information on
the diagram and choose again.

Well done - that's correct.
Even though only 44m was above the water, the total height of the Brent Spar was 147m.

How heavy was the Brent Spar?

How heavy was the platform when fully loaded with oil?

What quantity of oil and wax was left in the tanks after they had been "emptied"?

Was there any radio active material left on the Brent Spar?