The
Agency for Environmental Assessment and Enforcement (OEFA) on Tuesday affirmed that the operations at La Pampilla Refinery —which is managed by Repsol— were suspended in light of potential oil spills.
"We do not intend to deprive the country of fuel supplies; we require the company to ensure —as soon as possible— adequate conditions to continue its operations without causing negative impacts on the environment," the institution said in a press release.
On Monday, OEFA ordered the company to suspend operations of loading and unloading of hydrocarbons or other products at Multibuoy Terminals No. 1, 2 and 3, as well as Monobuoy Terminal 4, located at La Pampilla Refinery.
Said measure was adopted in light of potential oil spills that may affect the sea and marine ecosystems and that may not be adequately controlled by the company.
The supervisory agency stated that the reasons behind such provision, among others, are as follows:
-The system for the early detection of hydrocarbon leaks (HEADS system) —consisting of a radar, IR (infrared radiation) cameras and sensors, which the company has used since 2016— would not be working properly.
-Immediate response actions contained in the company's contingency plan would not have been carried out adequately to prevent the spread of spilled oil.
-The equipment and materials listed in the company's contingency plan would not have been sufficient to contain and mitigate oil spills of large volumes or dimensions, such as the one that occurred on January 15.
-The company would not rely on permanent personnel adequately equipped and trained to deal with oil spills such as those that occurred on January 15 and 24, 2022, at Multibuoy Terminal No. 2 of La Pampilla Refinery.
-It would have been evidenced that constituents of soil, sediment, sea, wild fauna and flora have been negatively affected, as a result of the spill that occurred on January 15.
-Multibuoy Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and Monobuoy Terminal 4 are hydrocarbon loading and unloading facilities of La Pampilla Refinery, and in view of a lack of immediate response to the occurrence of a spill, there is a risk that the events that occurred on January 15, 2022, will occur again at these terminals.
Oil spill
Repsol on Friday reported that 10,396 barrels of oil were spilled into the sea.
The oil slick has spread along the coast of Ventanilla, reaching Ancon and Chancay, where a negative impact on marine flora and fauna is registered.
Published: 2/1/2022