Another oil slick halts 12 Petrobras platforms

May 25, 2001
Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) announced an oil slick estimated at 110 cu m of crude had caused it to shut down production at 12 platforms. It was unclear where the oil came from. It was the second time this month that Petrobras has shut down production because of an oil slick.


By an OGJ Online Correspondent

RIO DE JANEIRO, May 25 -- Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) announced an oil slick estimated at 110 cu m of crude had caused it to shut down production at 12 platforms. It was unclear where the oil came from.

It was the second time this month that Petrobras has shut down production because of an oil slick.

On May 17, an oil slick caused Petrobras to halt production of 13 platforms whose output was 135,000 b/d of crude. These platforms were put on stream again after it was determined the slick did not originate from the platforms.

The slick reported Friday was 85 km off Rio de Janeiro state. The 12 platforms normally produce 125,000 b/d of crude. Petrobras declined to provide details on the volume of gas involved.

The platforms will restart production after Petrobras discovers the origin of the slick and cleans it up.

Campos is Brazil's most prolific oil province, responsible for 76.5% of Brazil's 1.3 million b/d of crude oil production and 43.9% of the country's natural gas production of 16.1 million cu m/day.

Petrobras summoned 11 oil recovery and containment vessels. Three vessels inspecting the platforms' ducts for leakage also are in the area.

State and federal environmental agencies were notified, Petrobras said.