MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Brazil imposes maximum fine on Chevron for oil spill, but more sanctions in the pipeline
Environment Minister Teixeira, “five of six more fines if more infractions are found” Brazil’s environmental agency said on Monday it will fine US Chevron 50 million Reais, nearly 28 million dollars, for a continuing oil spill off the coast of Rio de Janeiro and the company could face several more similar fines in the coming days.
The agency said through its press office that it will fine the oil company the maximum 50 million Reais allowed under current Brazilian law.
Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira said at a press conference in Brasilia, however, that as an investigation into the leak continues, Chevron could face “five or six” other fines of the same amount if more infractions are found.
Rio de Janeiro state's environment secretary, Carlos Minc, said the national government will also ask Chevron to pay for damages caused by the Atlantic spill.
“We believe the accident could have been avoided. There was an environmental crime,” Minc told Globo TV and other Brazilian media. “They hid information and their emergency team took almost ten days to start acting.”
Teixeira and other officials said Chevron hid information about the extent of the spill from the Brazilian government, took far too long to begin clean-up operations and didn't have the proper equipment to contain the leak.
Chevron Corp. officials have accepted responsibility for the spill but reject accusations they did not notify local authorities quickly enough or properly manage the cleanup.
The National Petroleum Agency said more than 110.000 gallons (416.300 litres) of crude oil may have reached the ocean floor since the lead began on Nov 7.
George Buck, chief operating officer for Chevron's Brazilian division, said Sunday the spill occurred because Chevron underestimated the pressure in an underwater reservoir.
Chevron was drilling an appraisal well about 370 kilometres off the north-eastern coast of Rio de Janeiro when the leak started as crude rushed upward and eventually escaped into the surrounding seabed.
Eighteen boats work on a rotating basis on the slick, with a varying number of vessels working simultaneously, Buck said.
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Read all commentsThere's something wrong with this! The source of truth in the universe - Geoff Ward - assured me that Chevron had everything under control, that there was no one panicking either within the government or among the lay public. But apparently, the National Oil Agency is now saying Chevron may be precluded from operating in the country ever again, not only because of the desaster it has caused, but also because it lied to agency regarding the spill and the measures it had taken on it, thus precluding immediate action to stall the leak. It can't be! Geoff told me Chevron is competent and a “good example of model” enterprise!
Nov 22nd, 2011 - 02:47 am 0http://jcrs.uol.com.br/site/noticia.php?codn=79250
Geoff is a clown on a horse waiving his british flag, because he's been taught it's an example of a blowhard who claims that everything from the english speaking nations and from some nations up north are perfect. If they cannot accomplish something, a company from the south CANNOT do it...impossible. that's why he claimed here that Chevron is an competent and a good example of all oil companies. Note, Shell is Dutch, though the ugly german queen from the UK is a small share holder (BP the oppositie where the Dutch-German queen is a small share holder). Anyway, back to the topic, so if they are good, you get it, Petrobras is bad plus it's a state company, and imagine if they were responsible for the leak. He forgets its similar like Statoil Norway..though Petrobras is bigger and number one in the world in deep ocean drilling, but nevermind that, in his head it's bad because it's State. Remember, I was also being taught, private is good and even if they rip you off, don't talk about crony capitalism because it's part of “free trade” and government is worse, don't think for yourself..that's a no no. I remember clearly how he could only brag about Statoil until I explained to him it's similar like Petrobras, but of course for that OLD moron it's impossible and came up with a lousy comment as usuaul...“ohh what's your point”. He made me clear how dumb fuck he really is.
Nov 22nd, 2011 - 05:26 am 0as usual it's, that old idiot, is full of shit and I bet with you he will come up with a lame comment.
How very profound, Fido. Very complimentary. Have you ever thought of going into politics?
Nov 22nd, 2011 - 10:39 am 0Xbarilox makes more sense than you.
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