VALENCIA/MARACAY, Venezuela, Feb 9 (Reuters) - At least
two oil spills in recent days have hit Venezuela's crude
distribution in the country's eastern region and both remain
unaddressed by state-run oil company PDVSA, according to four
people with knowledge of the incidents.
Oil spills have become frequent in recent years in some
areas operated by PDVSA as its aging infrastructure has not
received proper maintenance in a decade, especially in areas
close to its refineries. The spills have fouled rivers, bays and
the country's coast.
A large spill was detected in mid-January at PDVSA's J-20
station in the Morichal field in Venezuela's eastern Monagas
state. Photos and videos seen by Reuters on Thursday showed
hydrocarbons in waters surrounding an oil flow station.
The spill, which could be as much as 50,000 barrels thus
far, could soon reach the neighboring La Pica river, the people
said. PDVSA has inspected but not taken action to resolve the
issue.
It was not immediately clear if any crude production or
distribution operations have been halted as a consequence. PDVSA
did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
A smaller spill was also detected in recent days at the
Pirital oilfield, also in Monagas state, the people said.
(Reporting by Tibisay Romero in Valencia and Mircely Guanipa in
Maracay. Additional reporting by Deisy Buitrago; Editing by
Chizu Nomiyama)
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