Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal says there was no secrecy over an oil spill that originated in Trinidad and Tobago on May 1 as it was “minor” in nature after Venezuela complained it had caused damage to its coastline.
Moonilal said yesterday immediate action was taken to address the spill and that Government was committed to working with the Venezuelan administration to manage any incidents that impact the shared border.
Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Sean Sobers also assured that communication with Venezuelan officials continued.
The Ministry of Energy confirmed yesterday that Heritage Petroleum Company Ltd detected an oil spill in the Main Field on May 1, 2026, and immediately activated its oil spill response protocols.
But information about the spill was released after the Venezuelan government, led by acting President Delcy Rodríguez, issued a communiqué on Saturday night expressing concern to the international community regarding the oil spill “originating from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, which has caused serious environmental damage in the Gulf of Paria and coastal areas of the states of Sucre and Delta Amacuro”.
The communiqué stated that preliminary technical reports confirmed impacts on marine areas, coastlines, sensitive ecosystems and Venezuelan fishing communities.
It said assessments carried out by Venezuelan authorities revealed severe risks to mangroves, wetlands, marine fauna and strategic hydrobiological resources linked to food security and the ecological balance of the region.
Impacts on vulnerable species and highly sensitive ecosystems have also been recorded, the communiqué said.
It further stated that the Venezuelan government had instructed its Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately request all pertinent information regarding the incident, as well as the corresponding action plan for mitigating and containing the spill.
“Venezuela also demands compliance with the obligations established in international environmental law and the urgent adoption of reparations measures for the damage caused,” it stated.
The communiqué concluded: “The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will continue to deploy all necessary actions to protect the affected ecosystems and safeguard the impacted communities.”
Spill was ‘ten barrels of oil’
When contacted by the Express on Saturday night, Energy Minister Moonilal said he would investigate further.
The ministry issued a release yesterday advising that there was an oil spill in the Main Field at 7.25 a.m. on May 1, 2026, and that oil spill response protocols were immediately activated.
The release stated that Heritage promptly informed relevant regulatory authorities, including the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI), the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and the Environmental Management Authority. Approval was granted by the MEEI to use chemical dispersants at 9.50 a.m. on the same day.
“An oil spill trajectory modelling was immediately conducted which indicated that if left untreated the hydrocarbon material could cross the Trinidad/Venezuelan border in the Gulf of Paria. Immediately upon receiving the approval of the use of the chemical dispersant it was deployed approximately six to eight nautical miles from the Trinidad/Venezuelan border. Visual observations confirmed that the dispersant effectively broke up the hydrocarbon. Follow-up inspections using both drones and vessels showed no visible hydrocarbons remaining on the water’s surface,” stated the release.
It added that the source of the leak was identified and stopped on May 1, repaired and returned to service on May 2, 2026.
“This spill was estimated to be ten barrels of oil. Daily inspections continue to be made within all operating fields offshore, which have revealed no spill incidents,” stated the release.
The ministry stated that it will collaborate with all relevant authorities locally and abroad to provide any additional information which may be required.
“The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries is also committed to working with its counterparts in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to develop a structured framework to manage any incidents of this nature which may arise in the future along our shared border,” the release stated.
The ministry concluded: “The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries remains committed to ensuring that all of its stakeholders operate in a manner which advances the Government of Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to protection of the environment in keeping with domestic law and international obligations.”
The Express contacted Moonilal yesterday and asked why Trinidad and Tobago had not previously informed the public about the oil spill.
He said the incident was initially assessed as a minor spill and that immediate measures were taken to contain and mitigate the situation.
Responding to concerns that the matter only came to public attention after concerns were raised by Venezuelan authorities, the minister said there was no attempt at secrecy, but rather an immediate operational response in keeping with established industry protocols.
He noted that within the energy sector, isolated incidents of oil spillage can occur and that there are established procedures to ensure swift containment and remediation.
Moonilal added that the Government continues to address long-standing infrastructure challenges within the energy sector.
“We are now looking after ten years to rehabilitate our infrastructure. This occurred and was dealt within 48 hours while in Trinidad and Tobago waters,” he said.
‘Good neighbourly relations’
He emphasised that Trinidad and Tobago has taken careful note of the concerns raised by Venezuela and reiterated that the Government remains committed to maintaining constructive engagement and cooperation with the Venezuelan Government in managing matters affecting the shared maritime border.
The Express also contacted Sobers on the issue, and he indicated that dialogue with Venezuelan officials remains ongoing.
He said: “We have taken careful note of the concerns raised by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. In the spirit of good neighbourly relations and mutual respect, Trinidad and Tobago remains committed to continued engagement and open communication with Venezuelan authorities to address all concerns through transparent and cooperative channels.”
Source: Trinidad Express
