LIMA�Peru's organization for the supervision of the energy industry, Osinerg, ordered Argentine firm Pluspetrol Peru to pay a fine of 600 tax units�1,640,000 soles, or about $470,000�for the spill of about 5,500 bbl of crude oil in the Mara�on riverbed. A barge carrying the oil to the Yanayacu terminal at the start of the North Peruvian Pipeline went aground Oct. 3.
The barge was carrying 6,612 bbl of oil from Block 8, which is operated by Pluspetrol. Although the barge is owned by the Peruvian Navy and operated by a company called Ofepecos, companies exploring and producing oil and gas in Peruvian territory are responsible for emissions, spills, and disposal of waste or other damages to the environment.
Osinerg on Oct. 9 gave Pluspetrol 5 working days in which to present its case. It did not comply. Pluspetrol has up to 30 days to pay the fine.
Pluspetrol has appealed against the fine until such time as the cause of the oil spill is clarified and the amount of ecological damage assessed, especially because the barge that caused the spill was still aground in the river.
