PdV sees no spill risk from floating storage vessel

The Venezuela-flagged floating storage tanker Nabarima is in sound operating condition and poses no risk of an oil spill, according to PetroSucre, an offshore joint venture controlled by Venezuelan state-owned PdV.

The Nabarima, a small VLCC built in 2005, has been moored for a decade at the offshore Corocoro field in eastern Venezuela's Paria Gulf where it is used to store PetroSucre's production of 23°API crude. The joint venture's operations have been suspended since last year, leaving the storage unit at close to its full capacity of about 1.2mn bl.

"Representatives of the National Aquatics Institute (INEA) have boarded (the Nabarima) on different occasions to certify its optimum conditions," PetroSucre said in a 5 September statement. The last such visit was on 16 August, the company noted.

PetroSucre workers reported early last week that the vessel was listing because of water flooding in the engine room and nearby compartments.

Italy's Eni, which holds a 26pc stake in PetroSucre, said later in the week that the vessel had been stabilized, but the crude aboard would be transferred into another tanker, once the US provided a "green light" to ensure sanctions compliance.

PetroSucre dismissed complaints by workers on and off the unit as false information intended to hurt Venezuela's national oil industry and justify US sanctions.