Oil well explodes

THICK, noxious clouds of reddish-yellow natural gas and oil yesterday spewed several metres into the air and blanketed parts of Los Charos Road in Palo Seco when a Petrotrin-owned oil well blew out and threatened a major environmental hazard. Up to late yesterday, crews of  technicians and oil experts from Rocky Point Trinidad and Tobago Ltd, who had leased the Petrotrin well, converged on the area in an effort to contain the blow-out, as the thick substance coated the ground, surrounding houses, gardens, animal pens and cars.

The blowout occurred around 10.30 am and the mixture of gas and oil permeated the atmosphere with a sharp, pungent scent. Because of the location of the well, in a densely forested area, residents were not evacuated but Rocky Point Ltd advised residents against cooking and lighting open flames. When Newsday visited the site, a number of Petrotrin emergency vehicles, including a water tender, were already at the scene, while dozens of helmeted Petrotrin and Rocky Point employees were seen surveying the damage. However, the media was advised against entering the area by senior Petrotrin officials, who warned about the extremely volatile nature of the blow-out.

Meanwhile, Rocky Point operations manager Damien Bassant declined to comment on the situation, saying the company would issue a statement. However, Los Charos resident and retired oil worker Patrick Vargas, said when the blow-out occured, his family was forced to send the younger members to the homes of other relatives living further away. He also pointed out that due to the direction of the wind, which was blowing away from the rural community, the scent had eventually diminished. Vargas also confirmed that the company had supplied the entire community of about 100 persons with KFC meals, while cautioning against the use of open flames. He said the company had also promised to inform residents when the well is capped and normal activities will resume. Meanwhile, Petrotrin corporate communications manager Arnold Corneal, who journeyed to the scene, said every effort was being undertaken to cap the well and diminish the effects of the blow-out.