Separate fines of $1,000,066 (approximately US$5,000) will be levied against Spanish oil company Repsol and United Kingdom-headquartered Volaris Drilling for the recent mud-spill which occurred offshore in the Kanuku Block, Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Dr. Vincent Adams has said.
Adams explained to Stabroek News yesterday that while a decision had already been taken to fine Repsol, which is the operator in the Kanuku Block, the EPA found provisions in the Environmental Protection Act which enables it to also fine Volaris, which was contracted to carry out drilling for Repsol.
The total fines to be collected from this incident are approximately $2 million
Though this the sum is larger than anticipated, Adams repeated his belief that it is inadequate to address the severity of the issue. However, he declined to suggest an amount he believes would be adequate, as he says this requires a considered examination of several factors, including the infraction, the pollution which occurred, the risk posed, and the conduct of the operator.
Stabroek News was informed that as Volaris engaged in drilling operations, a valve was left opened, which saw mud used to prevent well blowouts spilling into the ocean.
Adams said it was the systematic breakdown of protocol which caused the spill, and which is the real issue, as opposed to the mud-spill itself, which did not seem to have much environmental harm.
“It could have been something other than mud. This here was a breakdown in the systematic process in the conduct of operations to ensure the protection of environment, health and safety,” Adams told Stabroek News.
Adams said that the correspondence informing the companies of the fine to be paid has been prepared and is being reviewed.
Repsol began exploratory work in the Kanuku Block In November, 2018.
