Energy Ministry names team to probe NiQuan explosion

THE Energy Ministry has named its technical team assigned to investigate the cause of a component failure at NiQuan Energy Ltd’s gas-to-liquids plant.

The incident led to an explosion and a fire around 6.30 am on Wednesday.

Not only is the ministry investigating, but also the fire service, Occupational Safety and Health Authority and Agency (OSHA) and the Environmental Management Authority (EMA).

In a release on Thursday, the ministry said in accordance with the Petroleum Act, the team will “establish the facts of the incident, conduct a thorough investigation and contributing factors to determine the root cause(s) of the explosion, review the adequacy of existing controls and procedures, make recommendations which could reduce future risks and prevent recurrences and prepare a final report.”

The members of the team are senior petroleum engineer Craig Boodoo, who will lead the team and is also the head of the Petroleum Operations Management Division; senior chemical engineer Yashi Carrington; mechanical engineers Sean Mahabir and Neisha Dipnarime; petroleum inspector Omattee Mathura; and chemical engineer Shazil Yarsien.

The release said the report will be submitted in “the shortest possible timeframe.”

The plant will remain closed in the interim.