If you need more evidence that oil is dangerous and destructive, even for a state owned oil company, you need look no further than the recent spills in Trinidad and Tabago. This island country off the northern edge of South America was a beautiful paradise until it’s beaches were coated with oil in the middle of December.
Starting on December 17th, oil began leaking from an aging pipeline. Since then a total of eleven oil spills have destroyed beaches along the coasts of Trinidad and Tabago. This is one of the worst environmental disasters in the tiny nation’s history.
Although the company that unleashed the spill was hit with a $3.1 million fine from the Trinidad’s Environmental Management Authority, the situation is complicated. The company responsible for the spill is Petrotrin, they are a state-owned oil company. The initial leak of 7,000 barrels was from a pipeline which according to some reports has not been inspected in 17 years.
Petrotrin has accused saboteurs of causing at least 2 of the other 10 spills. While others have accused Petrotrin of a cover-up. Petrotrin has also been criticized for its use of the controversial dispersant Corexit 9500 which according to scientists when combined with oil makes for a toxic combination that is harmful to marine life.
Although the spills will wreak havoc on the environment, tourism and fishing, as a state owned operation, it is hard to imagine that Petrotrin can be impartially dealt with.
Ironically Trinidad’s energy department approved a new national oil spill contingency plan in January 2013.
© 2014, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.
Related Articles
Another Water Contaminating Spill Courtesy of the Coal Industry
Duke Energy Spills Tons of Coal Ash into the Dan River
West Virginia Chemical Spill: Water Contamination from Coal and Regulatory Insufficiency
Bankruptcy Protection for the Company the Poisoned Drinking Water in Virginia
Video – Ongoing West Virginia Water Crisis
The Dangers of Transporting Fossil Fuels
Video – Train Carrying Oil Derails Illustrating the Dangers of Transporting Fossil Fuels
Video – Truck Carrying Oil Crashes and Explodes Illustrating the Dangers of Transporting Fossil Fuels
Three of the Most Destructive Tanker Oil Spills in History
Unstoppable Oil Leak at a Tar Sands Production Site in Alberta
Infographic: 13 Oil Spills in 30 Days
Top 25 Oil Spills Over 1000 Tonnes in the Last Decade
Pipelines and Oil Spills in Alberta Canada
Offshore Oil is an Avoidable Tragedy
Transocean to Pay $1.4 billion for its Role in the Gulf Oil Spill
The Costs of Oil: BP Liable for up to 90 Billion
Two More Reasons to Move Beyond Fossil Fuels
The Costs of Offshore Drilling
