PCS Nitrogen blast may cost $millions
PORT SPAIN
Trinidad & Tobago Express
Petroleumworldtt.com
03 24 09
There were no injuries but the explosion and fire that forced the shutdown and evacuation at PCS Nitrogen's complex at Pt Lisas on Thursday, may cost the company millions of dollars.
The accident happened on the 04 ammonia plant, which produces 2,200 tonnes of ammonia a day-worth more than $US1.5 million at current market prices.
That plant is shut indefinitely.
Four other plants on the complex have resumed operations after safety checks.
Dhana Maharaj, communications team leader, said she was not certain when operations at the ammonia manufacturing plant would resume.
"We cannot say when the plant would be up, since we have a team doing investigations. And only when the investigations are completed we would find out what caused the explosion and how it would affect operations," she said.
The explosion, followed by a fire, occurred around 6.59 p.m. on Thursday, during the change of shift.
The blast, which was heard more than a mile away, led to the evacuation of the compound.
Maharaj said PCS's Emergency Response Crew, assisted by the State's fire services, responded.
She said the plant was immediately and safely shut down and the fire was contained. There were no injuries.
PCS Nitrogen is a subsidiary of Canada-based Potash Corporation which is the world's largest fertiliser enterprise.
Story by
Carolyn Kissoon, South Bureau
Trinidad & Tobago
Express
Trinidad & Tobago Express
Saturday, March 14th 2009
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