Drilling by U.S. oil major Chevron off Brazil’s coast led to an oil spill near the company’s Frade project, an official with Brazil’s energy regulator ANP told Reuters on Monday.
ANP Director Floriano Carvalho said Chevron’s drilling “raised pressure,” creating a crack in the rock from which oil began leaking to the surface.
A Chevron spokeswoman said in an emailed message that the causes of the incident are still being investigated. Chevron estimates the volume of what it calls the oil “sheen” at between 400 and 650 barrels.
However, efforts made by Chevron Brazil Petroleo Ltd officials to control an ocean-floor oil leak off the coast of Brazil continue.
The amount of oil seeping from the ocean floor is now estimated to be between 400 and 500 barrels.
Chevron Brazil officials said they are still investigating the cause of the seep. They also maintain the leak is not due to the company’s oil production, said Kurt Glaubitz, a company spokesperson. Whether or not the leak was caused by drilling has yet to be determined.
Drilling is still suspended as a precautionary measure.
The leak is located in the company’s Frade field which is located roughly 230 miles off the shore of Rio de Janeiro. The slick, which was first reported to Chevron Brazil officials last week, is located roughly 74 miles from the country’s coastline.
Seventeen vessels are working on a rotating basis and are deploying containment booms and washing techniques to help control the oil sheen.
“Chevron Brazil is deploying experts from Chevron Corporation’s global response team and continues to inform and work with government agencies and industry partners in response to the matter,” Glaubitz said.
