Minor oil spill plugged in Gulf of Paria

(Trinidad Guardian) Heritage Petroleum Company Limited says it has plugged what it says was a minor oil spill in the Gulf of Paria which occurred on Thursday.

In a statement hours ago, Heritage Petroleum’s communications team confirmed that the spill occurred around 11.25 am off Platform 9 in the Soldado Main Field on Thursday. However, it said less than five barrels were spilt.

“Heritage Petroleum’s HSE department received reports of oil having been sighted in the vicinity between Rising Platform (RP) #1 and Platform 9, Soldado Main Field. The company’s Oil Spill Contingency Plan was immediately activated and the relevant personnel were dispatched to the scene. The spill has been isolated and Heritage HSE personnel have shut in Southwest Soldado and surrounding facilities,” the company said.

Officials said the volume of oil was estimated to be less than five barrels.

“Clean-up activities and repairs are in progress and there has been no material impact on the environment. There have been no further oil sightings or evidence of oil leakage and monitoring is ongoing. All regulatory agencies, including the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs; the Environmental Management Authority (EMA); and the Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) have been notified,” Heritage Petroleum said.