Energy Ministry Closely Monitors Venezuelan FSO NABARIMA

The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries says it continues to closely monitor the developing situation with regards to the Venezuelan vessel, FSO NABARIMA. It says recent reports have noted that the ship has sunk 14.5 meters at the water line. This has given rise to the fear of oil spilling into the Caribbean Sea. Venezuelan authorities, however, have said that the vessel was upright and in a stable condition with no risk of oil spillage. The Energy Ministry says it has initiated official communication to get independent verification of the status of the vessel from the Venezuelan authorities and has offered any assistance, technical or logistical, to Venezuela that may be needed.