A "minimal incident". That's how Repsol describes what happened last Tuesday in one of its wells in Alaska, where, according to the international news agency Reuters, some 6,600 gallons of crude oil (about 25,000 liters) were spilled. The company, which had not publicly reported these events, has contacted La Voz to "deny" the version given by the Cabildo, which echoed this news in a statement.
Repsol maintains that only "water mixed with some hydrocarbon was spilled" and that "the amount spilled was minimal." However, the company has not clarified exactly the amount, despite the fact that three days have already passed since the "incident," and despite the fact that international news agencies have already published a figure. "It still has to be certified," a company official told this media outlet by telephone.
Regarding the reason for this spill, the company denies that there was an "explosion," as the Cabildo reported, and maintains that what happened was that "a hose broke." However, they have not explained the causes of that break either. "They are being analyzed," Repsol told La Voz. On this point, the international agency Reuters pointed out that the "break" occurred "in a pipe in a well."
"It does not encourage a serene and rigorous debate"
The company, which did not send an official statement to clarify these facts, has personally addressed La Voz to demand that its response to the Cabildo be published. "Repsol regrets the systematic disinformation campaign that is being carried out from some instances in relation to the research project in the Canary Islands, which does not precisely encourage a serene and rigorous debate," they point out in an email sent to this media outlet.
According to the company, "the security measures worked perfectly" and "as proof that the incident has been very minor, the exploratory work has already been resumed with the approval of the US authorities." However, for that two days have been needed, since it was not until Wednesday night (according to the company itself) when the activity was allowed to resume.