Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Although Heritage Petroleum Company Limited is completing the clean-up of an oil spill which contaminated two beaches in the southwestern peninsula, Cedros councillor Shankar Teelucksingh says the source of the spill has not yet been identified.
Speaking to Guardian Media yesterday, Teelucksingh said there was speculation that the spill could have originated from a sump tank used in oil platforms.
“If there is residue, it goes down into the sump tank and this separates the water and oil. Then it pumps back the oil to the production tank and that overflows sometimes if there is excessive rain. We do not know for sure if this is what caused the spill but Heritage is continuing its investigations,” Teelucksingh said.
Over 40 fishermen have been affected by the spill.
In a statement yesterday, Heritage said it had received reports of hydrocarbons along the Bonasse and Bamboo beaches in Cedros on Tuesday.
Heritage said its Oil Spill Response Team and the Incident Management Team (IMT) were mobilised and have been responding according to the company’s incident response protocols.
“Clean-up activities have commenced and are expected to be completed today (Thursday),” the company said.
Heritage also said the Environmental Management Authority, the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries and other operators in the area have been notified of the report.
The company also said it would continue to monitor the clean-up efforts and provide updates as required.