The country’s science academy stated that Venezuelan oil spillages have caused severe damage to the environment between 2020-2021. It also asked for PDVSA, the state oil company, to take part in clean-up operations.
According to the Venezuelan Academy of Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, at least nine oil spillages have occurred over the past two years. This includes 26,730 barrels of crude oil that polluted Morrocoy National Park, located on Venezuela’s northwest coast. The report stated that hydrocarbon spillages and the release of oil waste from the oil industry occur more frequently along the coast. These incidents can also harm the environment and kill marine life.
The Academy stated that a copy of the report was given to PDVSA as well as the country’s oil ministry. Reuters did not reach out to PDVSA or the oil minister. Spills of refined products such as gasoline are more harmful than oil spills, according to investigators. They also stated that the oil industry was responsible in mitigating or reducing such incidents.
The Academy stated that only a few spillage cases required the use of barriers and other measures, while beaches were cleaned manually without any machinery. The report stated that the contingency plan, which was established by PDVSA back in 1986, encourages the use of vessels to deploy containment barriers and skimmers to collect the spilled hydrocarbon. However, it has not been effectively applied over the past 20 years. The spillages also affected mangroves along the coast around Lake Maracaibo. This area is located in Venezuela’s Zulia, and is home to many oil wells.
(This story was not edited by Devdiscourse staff. It is generated automatically from a syndicated feed.
