(MEEI, 24.Aug.2018) — The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) has been monitoring the impacts of the 6.9 magnitude earthquake which occurred on Tuesday 21st August, 2018 at 5:31 p.m. that reportedly caused some property damage across the country.
Reports from the energy sector companies have, so far, indicated that there have been no visible structural damage to offshore and onshore infrastructure, although assessments are currently ongoing.
Some companies, such has Shell, opted to shut-in offshore facilities to conduct such assessments.
In particular, with respect to Trinmar, some offshore installations have been minimally impacted, the most serious being structural damage to the Block Station Bridge on Platform 4 in the Main Soldado Field. A team of Construction Engineering personnel has since examined the damage with the aim of developing measures to rectify the situation. Plans for corrective measures to restore workmen facilities and other general utilities are also being finalized.
At the Petrotrin Refinery, there have been no reported disruptions, save and except impacts to the loading arm for loading vessels with petroleum products. As such, there is expected to be delays in loading vessels for the time being.
There have been reported impacts to office buildings in Port of Spain such as Albion Plaza, Shell House, NPMC Sea Lots, and Atlantic.
NP has assured that there is an adequate and available supply of fuel at its service stations.
The National Gas Company (NGC) has indicated that there was no damage to its facilities and infrastructure. Atlantic LNG’s facilities and infrastructure at Point Fortin were not affected and continue to produce.
Further, there have been no reported damage to any of the following organisations/facilities:
Petrochemical Plants
— Methanol Holdings Trinidad Ltd
— Point Lisas Nitrogen Ltd
— Yara & TRINGEN
— Caribbean Nitrogen Company & N2000
Natural Gas Liquids Facilities
— Phoenix Park Gas Processors Ltd Power Generation
— Trinity Power Ltd
— PowerGen
— Trinidad Generation Unlimited
The Ministry is awaiting responses from other stakeholders. As assessments continue the public will be advised on any further developments accordingly.
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