Peruvian Environment Minister Ruben Ramirez on Friday affirmed that the oil spill caused by Repsol —the company that operates La Pampilla refinery— has spread across 44 linear kilometers up to the Chancay coast.
At a press conference, Ramirez stated that a total of 11,337 hectares of sea and land have been affected as a result of this ecological disaster.
"We are going through an unprecedented situation in the history of our country. We never thought that an event like this would occur, thus generating serious environmental and economic damage," the minister said.
The government official explained that, in the case of liquids, 4,225 barrels have been recovered, and 16,258 m3 of stockpiled sand has been removed, which will be treated and returned to its original location.
Moreover, Ramirez indicated that nine skimmers provided by the State are currently in operation. Each one collects approximately 2,000 gallons of oily liquids from the sea.
"We have 52 vessels, which are carrying out substantial work to contain and recover the oily material. 4,880 meters of barriers have been placed and, in Chancay, 1,000 meters are preventing oil from spreading and harming more Peruvians along the coast," the Cabinet member mentioned.
He reported that 11 floating tanks are collecting oily material from the sea. In addition, 119 heavy land equipment machines —such as front loaders, caterpillars, among others— are recovering the material from Earth's crust.
"Through this procedure, around 9,482 m3 of hazardous solid waste has been recovered, which is properly confined," said the head of the
Environment Ministry (Minam).
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.
(END) MCA/RMCH/RMB/MVB
Published: 1/28/2022