TT: Oil explosion in Palo Seco

THICK, noxious clouds of reddish-yellow natural gas and oil yesterday spewed several metres into the air and blanketed parts of Los Charos Road in Palo Seco when a Petrotrin-owned oil well blew out and threatened a major environmental hazard. Up to late yesterday, crews of  technicians and oil experts from Rocky Point Trinidad and Tobago Ltd, who had leased the Petrotrin well, converged on the area in an effort to contain the blow-out, as the thick substance coated the ground, surrounding houses, gardens, animal pens and cars.

The blowout occurred around 10.30 am and the mixture of gas and oil permeated the atmosphere with a sharp, pungent scent. Because of the location of the well, in a densely forested area, residents were not evacuated but Rocky Point Ltd advised residents against cooking and lighting open flames. When Newsday visited the site, a number of Petrotrin emergency vehicles, including a water tender, were already at the scene, while dozens of helmeted Petrotrin and Rocky Point employees were seen surveying the damage. However, the media was advised against entering the area by senior Petrotrin officials, who warned about the extremely volatile nature of the blow-out.