Petrotrin pipeline spews oil

STATE-OWNED oil company Petrotrin is expected to complete mopping-up operations at Union Village, Guapo, sometime today after a burst ten-inch trunk pipeline leaked about 40 barrels of oil on Saturday morning.

In a telephone interview, Petrotrin’s corporate communications manager Arnold Corneal said clean-up at the site began almost immediately after the initial discovery and some 30 barrels of oil was recovered up to yesterday afternoon. He said parts of the aged pipeline were repaired and a large section of the pipe was inspected and replaced. Corneal said clean-up operations would continue at the site.

He revealed that officials from the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) also visited the site to survey the spill. “We do not expect any substantial damage to the environment. However, after the clean-up operations have been completed, we will then have a clearer idea of what further remedial work needs to be performed,” Corneal said. He noted that the spill occurred in a rural area and did not pose any danger to residents of Guapo Village.