Hating the pipe: PTT blames bad equipment for oil spill

Remember that giant oil spill that caused horrible environmental damage last summer?

Thai oil corp PTT Global Chemical wants the public to know the July spill near Koh Samet wasn’t its fault, but that of the maker of a pipe whose failure caused the large volume of oil to be released.

PTT CEO Bovorn Wongsin-Udom said a steel pipe had been weakened by a previous repair before failing and releasing 50,000 liters of oil on July 27.

“The problem clearly indicates an error in the pipe designing process,” said the PTT chief, adding that his company was not responsible.

In August, a Prince Songkla University study said PTT’s estimate of the oil released into the Gulf of Thailand was optimistic at best, and two-to-four times that amount actually surged into the ocean.

The resulting oil slick caused extensive damage to the environment and tourism economy of Koh Samet, a popular weekend destination in Rayong province.

Although PTT blamed the pipe manufacturer, it said it would not pursue litigation.

To prevent the problem in the future, PTT is studying the use of double-walled pipe and other safety precautions, Bovorn said.

Island business owners and vendors have blamed the company for an inadequate response and playing down the impact of the spill, and tourism has yet to fully recover, Khaosod reported.

Related:

PTT ‘Recklessness’ may have led to Koh Samet oil spill, DSI says

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Petitions against PTT mushroom after Koh Samet oil spill

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PHOTOS: Stunning images of Koh Samet’s cleanup operation step by step

Shoreline of Koh Samet in danger from 70 ton oil spill



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