Oil spill findings delayed

Oil spill findings delayed

The Energy Ministry has put off to next week an announcement of its investigation into the offshore oil spill in Rayong which damaged Ao Phrao on Samet island.

The panel investigating the incident, chaired by Khunying Thongtip Rattanarat, said it would need until Wednesday to determine the cause, according to Energy Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal.

The ministry originally had hoped to release the panel's findings on Friday.

About 50,000 litres of oil leaked out of a PTT Global Chemical Plc pipeline into the sea southeast of the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate on July 27, causing damage to the environment, the coastal fishery and local tourism.

Mr Pongsak said that about 50 oil-related companies including dealers, logistics operators and refiners met on Friday to discuss olil transport safety procedures.

They agreed to replace single-layer oil pipelines with more durable double-layer ones to prevent leakage, he said. The change will take 8-9 months to complete.

The companies also decided that each oil rig has to be serviced by two tugboats instead of one, and additional dispersants added to the vessels in order to more efficiently control any future spills, Mr Pongsak added.

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