NiQuan assesses impact of Pointe-a-Pierre explosion

NIQUAN ENERGY is currently assessing the impact of last Wednesday's recent explosion at its gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant and is preparing to hear any concerns from nearby residents, vice president of corporate affairs Malcolm Wells told Newsday in an e-mail on Monday.

The explosion at the Pointe-a-Pierre plant shook nearby houses, but resulted in no deaths or injuries.

Since then the Ministry of Energy has named a technical committee to probe the incident. It comprises senior petroleum engineer Craig Boodoo, senior chemical engineer Yashi Carrington, mechanical engineers Sean Mahabir and Neisha Dipnarine, petroleum inspector Omattee Mathura and chemical engineer Shazil Yarsien.

Investigations are also being done by the fire service, Occupational Safety and Health Authority and Agency (OSHA) and the Environmental Management Authority (EMA).

Newsday asked Wells if NiQuan would entertain claims for property damage from nearby residents.

"We are currently establishing a covid-compliant engagement process to provide the necessary reassurance to the local communities and to allow them to engage directly with us regarding any concerns/issues they may have. At no point during the incident was there a threat to residents," Wells said.

Asked for an update on the investigation and the likely date the plant would restart, Wells replied, "The impact assessment is ongoing and operations will not resume until the authorised investigations have been completed, any resulting recommendations have been implemented and all necessary permissions to resume operations have been received." Wells said the permission to restart is granted by the Ministry of Energy.