Peru reports new oil spill off its coast

Lima, Jan 27 (IANS) Peru reported a new and "relatively small" oil spill off the coast of Callao province, which was already affected by some 6,000 barrels of oil accidentally spilled at the La Pampilla refinery over a week ago, local authorities have said.The new spill, by the same refinery operated by Spanish energy company Repsol, occurred on Tuesday in the district of Ventanilla, as work was being done prior to the removal of the Pipeline End Manifold, underwater distribution and collection equipment, Xinhua news agency reported citing the Peru Environmental Evaluation and Enforcement Agency.The Peruvian Navy also said that during one of its inspection flights on Tuesday in the area affected by the previous spill, "an oily spot" was observed.Jesus Menacho, head of the Navy's Coast Guard Operations Command, told local media that the new spill "is relatively small and has been controlled by barriers" in the area.Repsol argued on Wednesday in a press release that it was a "controlled upwelling of remnants" generated during Tuesday's work on the infrastructure located 18 metres below the sea surface.
--IANS int/sks/bg

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