Baltic States – CIS, Energy, Good for Business, Latvia, Lithuania, Oil, Transport

After completing the welding work, valves opened to fill up the pipeline and pumps switched on to start pumping of diesel fuel. Environmental cleaning works are being carried out, writes LETA/ELTA.

A large number of people is involved in emergency response operations: 70 people, Orlen Lietuva and 11 specialists from contracting organizations, employees of Latvian pipeline operator LatRosTrans and Lithuanian Railways, using 50 special vehicles and equipment (excavators, oil spill recovery equipment, trucks and railcars). "Cleaning works will continue after the New Year because the bad weather is hampering the operation. Yet despite such an adverse situation, we are doing the work in an expeditious manner using the maximum number of responders. The specialists are working day and night without a break. All actions are being coordinated with the Emergency Response Commission of Rokiskis Municipality," said Viktoras Vasilavicius, Director of Production of Orlen Lietuva. According to him, attempts are being made to collect all spilled product. Dams were installed in the drainage ditch containing product spills and oil recovery equipment assembled to prevent diesel fuel from getting into the Vyzuona river.

The pipeline accident happened in Bryzgiai village (Rokiskis district) on December 28. The causes of accident and the resulting losses are being investigated and assessed by a special commission set up by Orlen Lietuva. The commission is made up of members specializing in areas such as pipelines, security, ecology, technical analysis, mechanical and other.