Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal has proposed to Venezuela, the establishment of a joint working committee to address and resolve concerns related to the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Paria.
This came during a recent bilateral-hybrid meeting to discuss cooperation on the management of potential cross-border hydrocarbon spills.
The Venezuelan delegation was led by Freddy Ñáñez, Minister of Popular Power for Ecosocialism, and included Raúl Li Causi Pérez, Vice Minister of the People’s Power for Foreign Affairs and other representatives attached to the Ministry of People’s Power for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA).
Dr Moonilal led the Trinidad and Tobago delegation which included Ernesto Kesar, Minister in the Ministry of Energy, Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chief Technical Officer and technical staff at the Ministry of Energy, representatives from Heritage Petroleum and representatives from the Institute of Marine Affairs.
The Ministry said discussions covered the reported oil spill at Riser Platform No. 2, Main Soldado Field Gulf of Paria, where both parties agreed to continue to exchange information as scientific work and technical investigations continue.
Minister Moonilal also took the opportunity to propose the establishment of the committee and further expressed that meetings such as these can provide a platform for renewed discussions on the Bilateral Oil Spill Contingency Plan between Venezuela and T&T
The Ministry says, “The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming the importance of continued bilateral cooperation, information sharing, and coordinated engagement on matters related to marine environmental protection. The discussions underscored the shared commitment of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to maintaining open communication and strengthening regional collaboration in addressing potential cross-border environmental incidents.”
