The accident came just two weeks after a major oil spill in Rio de Janeiro, where a pipeline at state oil giant Petrobras' flagship refinery burst spewing 345,000 gallons of fuel into a scenic bay.

The leak destroyed local fishing industry, contaminated biological reserves and killed wildlife in the area's worst ecological disaster in 25 years.

Petrobras was fined $28 million for the accident, and officials said they have not ruled out similar sanctions in the case of the Amazon wreck.

"There will be a study on the accident's causes and damage, and if damages to the ecosystems in the area are determined, there will be a fine," Ribeiro said.

Texaco and state environmental officials have already laid down floating walls to prevent a potential spill from spreading upriver.

But Texaco's regional manager, Jose Ferreira Amin, told the press that there was virtually no risk of a spill, since the cooler temperatures at the bottom of the river have thickened the oil.

"Even if there were (a spill) there would not a problem since the oil thickens with the cold," Amin said.

Texaco has contracted Smith American Inc. and Oil Spill Response Ltd. to coordinate the clean-up operation.

Link

Y2k? Probably!

-- Henry Howfambofergilfer (howfambofergilfer@hotmail.com), February 08, 2000

Color Off

-- Henry Howfambofergilfer (howfambofergilfer@hotmail.com), February 08, 2000.

For Education and Whatever Other Purpose Deemed Necessary!
br> Brazil Races to Avoid Oil Spill in Amazon River
br> 2.20 p.m. ET (1920 GMT) February 7, 2000
br> BRASILIA  Brazilian authorities scrambled Monday to avert an environmental disaster in the Amazon jungle after a barge holding nearly 500,000 gallons of oil sunk to the bottom of the world's largest river network.
br> Diving teams plunged into the depths of the Rio Para, in the remote jungle state of Para, to remove tanks from the vessel which sank Friday while transporting the fuel for U.S. oil giant Texaco.
br> "Environmental advisers are working alongside the diving teams to prevent ecological damage," said Mauricio Andres Ribeiro at Brazil's environment ministry.
br> The accident came just two weeks after a major oil spill in Rio de Janeiro, where a pipeline at state oil giant Petrobras' flagship refinery burst spewing 345,000 gallons of fuel into a scenic bay.
br> The leak destroyed local fishing industry, contaminated biological reserves and killed wildlife in the area's worst ecological disaster in 25 years.
br> Petrobras was fined $28 million for the accident, and officials said they have not ruled out similar sanctions in the case of the Amazon wreck.
br> "There will be a study on the accident's causes and damage, and if damages to the ecosystems in the area are determined, there will be a fine," Ribeiro said.
br> Texaco and state environmental officials have already laid down floating walls to prevent a potential spill from spreading upriver.
br> But Texaco's regional manager, Jose Ferreira Amin, told the press that there was virtually no risk of a spill, since the cooler temperatures at the bottom of the river have thickened the oil.
br> "Even if there were (a spill) there would not a problem since the oil thickens with the cold," Amin said.
br> Texaco has contracted Smith American Inc. and Oil Spill Response Ltd. to coordinate the clean-up operation.
br> Link

-- Teague Harper (tharper@cyberhighway.net), February 08, 2000.

Sorry Henry - I thought I could do it right.

-- Teague Harper (tharper@cyberhighway.net), February 08, 2000.

Thanks for the great post...

To comprehend what the above 'actually means' and to see Texaco's stellar track record, please see:

http://www.bashar.com/GSP/McSpotLight.htm

Then, click on "Texaco" nav button. 'Read 'em...and weep'

-- steve (WhoCares@nymore.Right?.com), February 08, 2000.

Andy, is that you?

-- Just Sounds (famili@r.com), February 08, 2000.