A potentially serious offshore oil spill in Trinidad’s Main Field has been successfully contained after rapid intervention by the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries and Heritage Petroleum Company Limited prevented the spread of hydrocarbons toward Venezuelan waters.
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The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries advises that Heritage Petroleum Company Limited (Heritage) detected an oil spill in the Main Field at 0725 hrs on May 1st, 2026, and immediately activated its oil spill response protocols.
Heritage instantly informed relevant regulatory authorities, including the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI), the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, and the Environmental Management Authority. Approval was granted by MEEI to use chemical dispersants at 0950 hrs on May 1st 2026.
An oil spill trajectory modelling was immediately conducted which indicated that if left untreated the hydrocarbon material could cross the Trinidad/Venezuelan border in the Gulf of Paria. Immediately upon receiving the approval of the use of the chemical dispersant it was deployed approximately 6 to 8 nautical miles from the Trinidad/Venezuelan border. Visual observations confirmed that the dispersant effectively broke up the hydrocarbon. Follow-up inspections using both drones and vessels showed no visible hydrocarbons remaining on the water’s surface.
The source of the leak was identified and stopped on May 1st 2026, repaired and returned to service on May 2nd 2026. This spill was estimated to be ten (10) barrels of oil. Daily inspections continue to be made within all operating fields offshore, which have revealed no spill incidents.
The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries will collaborate with all relevant authorities locally and abroad to provide any additional information which may be required. The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries is also committed to working with its counterparts in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to develop a structured framework to manage any incidents of this nature which may arise in the future along our shared border.
The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries remains committed to ensuring that all of its stakeholders operate in a manner which advances the Government of Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to protection of the environment in keeping with domestic law and international obligations.