The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries has successfully pumped out 32,000 barrels of recoverable hydrocarbons from the capsized Gulfstream barge located near the Cove Eco-Industrial Estate in Tobago.
After completing the de-inventory phase of operations on June 28, the ministry confirmed the progress in a release issued on June 29.
The Gulfstream barge, which was found overturned and leaking bunker fuel on February 7, was initially spotted 200 meters off the coast of the Cove. The vessel had been in the process of being towed by the Solo Creed tug boat when it encountered trouble on a reef.
Following the incident, approximately 15km of Tobago’s southwestern coast, including popular areas such as Kilgwyn Bay, Canoe Bay, Petit Trou Lagoon, Rockly Bay, and Topaz Beach, were affected by the oil spill.
Recent reports from the Office of the Chief Secretary revealed the discovery of a substantial amount of bunker fuel drifting away from the barge. Despite concerns raised during an emergency meeting with stakeholders, a preliminary assessment indicated no immediate threat to the coastline from the spilled fuel.
The ministry’s de-inventory phase involved the extraction of hydrocarbons from the wreck and their transfer to a temporary storage facility at Cove. Subsequently, the hydrocarbons were loaded onto road-tank wagons for transportation to the Port of Scarborough, where they were further transferred to a tanker.
Initiated on April 13, the de-inventory operations saw the first stream of hydrocarbons being received at the Cove facility.
As investigations continue, the identity of the barge owner remains undetermined. The projected cost for the clean-up efforts exceeds $50 million.
