Sudanese oil ministry investigating reports of oil spots in Red Sea

August 7, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese oil ministry said it would investigate claims about the spread of oil spots in the Red Sea that is believed to have been discharged during the process of loading and unloading oil tankers.

The environment minister Hassan Hilal spoke last Wednesday of oil pollution along Sudanese beaches on the Red Sea coast in the areas of Sawakin, Port Sudan and Mohamed Gool.

The ministry of oil said in a statement that it formed a technical committee comprised of the ministry, Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company (GNPOC) and Petrodar to probe these claims.

It stressed that it was applying the highest standards of safety and environmental preservation with all its oil installations in the country that also meet international standards used in oil and gas industry.

The ministry also expressed its reservation about attributing the pollution to oil tankers.

In February 2012, an oil leak occurred in Red Sea area of Hoshiri that covered an area of 1 kilometre.

(ST)