COLOMBIA: A GROUP OF EXPERTS FROM THE UNITED STATES SPACIALIZING IN OIL WELL FIRES ARRIVE IN COLOMBIA TO HELP BATTLE SEVERAL BLAZES

Record ID: 646103

  • Title: COLOMBIA: A GROUP OF EXPERTS FROM THE UNITED STATES SPACIALIZING IN OIL WELL FIRES ARRIVE IN COLOMBIA TO HELP BATTLE SEVERAL BLAZES
  • Date: 13th August 2003
  • Summary: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (AUGUST 13, 2003) (REUTERS) SV/CU FRANK KANAYET, REPRESENTATIVE FROM OIL COMPANY, IN HIS OFFICE/HIS HANDS (2 SHOTS) MCU (Spanish) KANAYET SAYING "The wells were attacked by the rebels on July 23rd and the wells have been burning now for more than twenty days, generating a loss of 5,000 barrels of oil per day."
  • Embargoed: 28th August 2003 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: PUTUMAYO AND BOGOTA, COLOMBIA
  • Country: Colombia
  • Topics: Crime,Disasters,Environment,Energy
  • Reuters ID: LVA1R2UPQTHZD76A8Q05G7SDYFO9
  • Story Text: Experts from the United States arrive in Colombia's
    southern region to help battle several blazes at oil wells
    attacked by Marxist rebels.



    A group of experts from the United States
    specializing in oil well fires arrived to Colombia's
    southern Putumayo region on Wednesday (August 13) to assist
    in extinguishing the blazes that have been burning out of
    control since July 23.

    The "Red Devils" were the same group of firefighters
    that assisted in battling the fires of Kuwait in 1991.

    More than 400,000 gallons of crude oil from five wells
    belonging to Ecopetrol continue burning following several
    dynamite attacks by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of
    Colombia (FARC).

    Colombian authorities fear that besides the loss in
    revenues, the damage caused to the surrounding Amazon
    jungle will be far more devastating.

    "This is a big tragedy," Colombia's Minister of
    Environment, Cecilia Rodriguez said. "I would qualify this
    by saying that this was done by people who are destroying
    Colombia. We need Colombians who want to overcome poverty,
    not cause these types of situations."
    Ecopetrol reported that of the wells that are on fire,
    two contain high grade oil which burns stronger. The other
    wells extract crude oil that is much heavier and easier to
    control.

    The oil company also said that they are paying foreign
    companies, including the Red Devils, close to $3 million
    (USD) to combat the fires.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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