01 Dec 2005

Remediation Performed by Texaco is Documented During the Inspection to Lago Agrio-06

Court Sees Evidence of Oil Spills That Occurred Since Petroecuador Operated the Well, and Substandard Clean-up By Petroecuador

Nueva Loja, December 1, 2005 - Judicial Inspection No. 34 was carried out in Lago Agrio-06, a currently abandoned well. During the visit, the Superior Court of Nueva Loja verified the remediation completed by Texaco Petroleum Company (Texpet) in Pit 1 and on the well's platform. The Court was also able to observe how, under Petroecuador's exclusive operations, neighboring areas have suffered numerous environmental impacts in the last few years.

Other Highlights:

  • Through a photographic sequence, the Court was able to observe the environmental remediation Texaco conducted in Pit 1 and in Lago Agrio-06 platform. The remediation was carried out in 1996 and approved by the Ecuadorian State's representatives, through the November 22, 1996 and March 20, 1997 Official Acts. The Ecuadorian Government's Approval was based upon laboratory analyses performed by the Ecuadorian Central University Laboratory. These proved the sites complied with all of the country's applicable standards in force at the time.
  • In response to a request made by the Ecuadorian Government, the material removed from the platform was delivered to the Ministry of Public Works for use in road building. Chevron's counsel explained "the effect produced by bio-remediation in crude oil changes the oil into a material very similar to asphalt which is generally used in road building."
  • A large-sized spill took place after the Environmental Remediation Works were finished and approved by the State. It occurred on November 23, 2003, under Petroecuador's exclusive operations and contaminated tenths of meters in the well's area. According to an official report, the spill was caused by a cutting in the pipeline and affected 800 square meters.
  • In a gorge located northeast of the well, the Superior Court of Nueva Loja observed how workers hired by Petroecuador were covering a recent spill using traditional methods. Using shovels and sand, workers fought to collect and cover fresh crude oil found floating over a water pit which flowed into nearby streams. Trees, plants, soil, and stones were covered with oil.
  • Later on, the inspection moved to a road located above the gorge. Three pipelines run across this area; crude oil and a clamp were observed under the thinnest of the three. Chevron's counsel stated: "an attack has probably been the cause of the oil spill in the gorge. We would like to place in the Court record that hydrocarbon activities produce this type of impact. It is common to read in newspapers that pipelines from private and public companies are constantly attacked for purposes of stealing both the pipes and fuels."

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