Khan: Oil spill being contained

Speaking in the Senate, Khan said most of the oil was contained in the refinery but some escaped into the marine environment. He said five people were treated at the Augustus Long Hospital in Pointe-a-Pierre for minor nausea as a result of the spill.

“The biggest risk now is the marine environment and we are containing the spill, we are trying to protect the mangrove,” Khan said.

Noting a picture of an oilsoaked pelican in the newspapers yesterday, Khan said, “There will be an investigation as to why the tank failed.” In a subsequent statement, the ministry said, “The amount of oil that spilled has been estimated to be 300 barrels.” The ministry said mechanisms adopted by Petrotrin to date include the use of containment booms to prevent additional oil from escaping the port area, corralling booms, vessels and a barge to herd oil and transfer it to the barge, and the use of vessels to break up oil and sheen. Slickgone NS, as approved by the ministry, is being used to address the oil spill.

The ministry also said thee National Oil Spill Contingency Plan has been activated to Tier 2 and the Environmental Management Authority is monitoring the operations.

Pointe-a-Pierre MP David Lee has called for an investigation into the spill.