El Palito refinery spill into Golfo Triste and Morrocoy National Park, 2020
- Effects on me could last up to 50 years or more, said Julia Álvarez of the Sociedad Venezolana de Ecología (EFE, 19 August 2020). EFE (via Diario Libre)
- Warnings were issued about my mangroves and corals during their reproductive season (EFE, 19 August 2020). EFE (via Diario Libre)
- If damage to my reefs is confirmed, the impact could be terrible because it would affect their future reproduction, said Eduardo Klein (BBC News Mundo, 15 August 2020). BBC News Mundo (via Prensa Libre)
- A Universidad Simón Bolívar technical report found no sign that the oil spilled on me in July 2020 was contained (EFE, 19 August 2020). EFE (via Diario Libre)
- In August 2024 a slick of about 225 km2 completely covered Morrocoy, according to Klein's satellite images, and hydrocarbons reached the beaches of Boca de Aroa (Reuters). Reuters (via Hydrocarbon Processing)
- About 20,000 barrels of oil entered my waters. estimateEduardo Klein (BBC News Mundo) and Velisa Morón, Sociedad Venezolana de Ecología (VOA).
- More than 15.2 km of my coastline were oiled. self-reportedCoast declared cleaned by vice-minister Lorca, 11 August 2020 (NTN24); self-reported.
- Researchers Eduardo Klein, Universidad Simón Bolívar (BBC News Mundo): About 20,000 barrels, possibly spreading over about 350 km2. BBC News Mundo (via Prensa Libre)
- Communities and civil society Velisa Morón, Sociedad Venezolana de Ecología (VOA): About 20,000 barrels. Voz de América
- Researchers Universidad Simón Bolívar technical report (EFE): 26,730 barrels between 19 and 22 July 2020. EFE (via Diario Libre)
- Government and regulators Oswaldo Barbera, Minister of Ecosocialism (VOA): A dive found that the coral reefs were not affected and the seabed was in perfect condition; containment barriers and absorbent booms were deployed. Voz de América
- Government and regulators Josué Lorca, vice-minister (BBC News Mundo; EFE): 90% of the coasts of Morrocoy National Park and Golfo Triste had been cleaned; 90% of the oil removed in Morrocoy by 1,200 volunteers. BBC News Mundo (via Prensa Libre)
- Communities and civil society Gustavo Carrasquero, Fundación Azul Ambientalistas (VOA): The mangrove roots at Los Juanes are completely oiled and the impact went far beyond what is visible. Voz de América
- Communities and civil society An NGO representative quoted by EFE: Crews cleaned with shovels and brooms, without barriers. EFE (via Diario Libre)
- Researchers Eduardo Klein (BBC News Mundo): If reef damage is confirmed, the impact could be terrible because it would affect their future reproduction. BBC News Mundo (via Prensa Libre)
A slick of oil visible on satellite images from 22 July 2020 reached the coast of Falcón state and Morrocoy National Park. Estimates of the volume ranged from about 20,000 to 26,730 barrels; scientists, NGOs and the National Assembly pointed to the El Palito refinery, while the official version cited a cargo ship. No cost, fine or compensation is on record.
Estimates: about 20,000 barrels (Eduardo Klein; Sociedad Venezolana de Ecología) and 26,730 barrels (Universidad Simón Bolívar report). PDVSA gave no figure.
Status As of the latest reports in the sources (August 2024): no cost, fine, compensation or court case is on record for the 2020 spill; a further spill appearing to come from El Palito was reported in August 2024.
- Mangroves at Los Juanes, Morrocoy National Park — Roots completely oiled, according to Fundación Azul Ambientalistas Voz de América
- Coral reefs and mangroves of Morrocoy — Warned to be at risk during their reproductive season; the Ministry of Ecosocialism said a dive found no effect on the reefs EFE (via Diario Libre)
- Artisanal fishers at Boca de Aroa (2024 spill) — Fishing boats affected Reuters (via Hydrocarbon Processing)
What happened
Satellite images showed an oil slick in Golfo Triste from 22 July 2020; Eduardo Klein of Universidad Simón Bolívar said it was absent on 19 July. He estimated about 20,000 barrels, possibly spreading over about 350 km2, and said the volume was 'more than double' that of the Mauritius spill (BBC News Mundo, 15 August 2020). A Universidad Simón Bolívar technical report, presented by María Gabriela Hernández, chair of the National Assembly environment commission, put the spill at 26,730 barrels between 19 and 22 July and found no sign that the spilled oil was contained (EFE, 19 August 2020). Velisa Morón of the Sociedad Venezolana de Ecología also estimated about 20,000 barrels.
Oil reached the coast of Falcón state and Morrocoy National Park. Fundación Azul Ambientalistas put the extent of the slick at about 260 km (EFE); BBC News Mundo reported that the oil travelled more than 80 km beyond Morrocoy. Hernández called it the third spill of the year, and VOA reported on 18 August 2020 that the type and quantity of hydrocarbon had not been disclosed.
Scientists, NGOs and the National Assembly attributed the spill to the El Palito refinery in Puerto Cabello. Klein disputed the official version that a ship that left La Guaira on 29 July was responsible, because the slick existed a week earlier. A February 2022 report by the Academia de Ciencias Físicas, Matemáticas y Naturales (25 pages) counted at least nine spills in 2020–2021 and cited a 26,730-barrel spill that reached Morrocoy; it gave two possible sources, the official account of a cargo ship that left a central port and the experts' and NGOs' attribution to El Palito. Reuters dated that spill to July 2021, whereas EFE in August 2020 gave 19–22 July 2020.
On 11 August 2020 vice-minister Josué Lorca said more than 15.2 km of coast had been cleaned, listing Punta Brava (2.7 km contaminated), Cayo Hat (1.5 km) and Mero Beach (943 m) (NTN24). He also said 90% of the oil had been removed in Morrocoy by 1,200 volunteers (EFE) and that 90% of the coasts of Morrocoy National Park and Golfo Triste had been cleaned (BBC News Mundo). Minister Oswaldo Barbera said on 10 August 2020 that a dive found no effect on the coral reefs and that the seabed was in perfect condition. The National Assembly environment commission opened an investigation in August 2020.
A later spill: Reuters reported on 17 August 2024 a new spill that appeared to come from El Palito, a refinery with a capacity of 146,000 barrels per day, contaminating Golfo Triste. Klein's satellite images showed about 225 km2 of slick, which he said completely covered Morrocoy. Hydrocarbons reached Boca de Aroa beaches and affected artisanal fishing boats. PDVSA and the oil ministry gave no immediate comment.
- 2020Slick visible on satellite images from 22 Jul; public reports from early Aug; Barbera says reefs unaffected (10 Aug); Lorca reports 15.2 km cleaned (11 Aug); BBC Mundo (15 Aug), VOA (18 Aug) and EFE (19 Aug) report estimates and the Assembly inquiry
- 2022Academia de Ciencias Físicas, Matemáticas y Naturales report counts at least nine spills in 2020–2021 (Reuters, 16 Feb)
- 2024New spill appearing to come from El Palito covers about 225 km2 and reaches Boca de Aroa (Reuters, 17 Aug)
What was said
“more than double that in Mauritius”
“no sign that the spilled oil was contained”
“The mangrove roots are completely oiled and the impact went far beyond what is visible.”
“No technical or engineering explanation has been given; they have not really told us where it came from.”
“the coral reefs were not affected and the seabed is in perfect condition”
“90% of the coasts of Morrocoy National Park and Golfo Triste had been cleaned”
“both the government (in dispute) and the industry (state oil company) PDVSA have tried to cover up the ecological accident”
“I understand that many trained engineers have already left”
Where accounts differ
Each party's account, side by side, with its source. The record does not settle these points; it shows them.
Satellite images show the slick from 22 July and not on 19 July; he disputes the version of a ship that left La Guaira on 29 July, because the slick existed a week earlier.
BBC News Mundo (via Prensa Libre)Asked for the refinery maintenance schedule and the insurance of the companies involved; scientists, NGOs and the Assembly attributed the spill to El Palito.
Voz de AméricaA cargo ship that left a central port was the source; the Academy gave this and the attribution to El Palito as the two possible sources.
Reuters (via LM Neuquén)About 20,000 barrels, possibly spreading over about 350 km2.
BBC News Mundo (via Prensa Libre)About 20,000 barrels.
Voz de América26,730 barrels between 19 and 22 July 2020.
EFE (via Diario Libre)A dive found that the coral reefs were not affected and the seabed was in perfect condition; containment barriers and absorbent booms were deployed.
Voz de América90% of the coasts of Morrocoy National Park and Golfo Triste had been cleaned; 90% of the oil removed in Morrocoy by 1,200 volunteers.
BBC News Mundo (via Prensa Libre)The mangrove roots at Los Juanes are completely oiled and the impact went far beyond what is visible.
Voz de AméricaCrews cleaned with shovels and brooms, without barriers.
EFE (via Diario Libre)If reef damage is confirmed, the impact could be terrible because it would affect their future reproduction.
BBC News Mundo (via Prensa Libre)Alleged that both the government (in dispute) and PDVSA have tried to cover up the ecological accident (translated).
Voz de AméricaNo technical or engineering explanation has been given and no one has said where the oil came from (translated).
Voz de AméricaHow it looked
Shown
- Dive found that the coral reefs were not affected and the seabed was in perfect condition; containment barriers and absorbent booms were deployedOswaldo Barbera, Minister of Ecosocialism, 10 August 2020 · Voz de América
- More than 15.2 km of coast cleaned; Punta Brava 2.7 km contaminated, Cayo Hat 1.5 km, Mero Beach 943 mJosué Lorca, vice-minister, 11 August 2020 · NTN24
- 90% of the oil removed in Morrocoy by 1,200 volunteersJosué Lorca, vice-minister, as reported by EFE · EFE (via Diario Libre)
- A cargo ship that left a central port was the source of the spillOfficial account, as described in the February 2022 Academy report (Reuters) · Reuters (via LM Neuquén)
Recorded
- Satellite images show the slick from 22 July 2020 and not on 19 July (Klein, BBC News Mundo).
- A Universidad Simón Bolívar technical report put the spill at 26,730 barrels between 19 and 22 July 2020 and found no sign that the spilled oil was contained.
- The National Assembly environment commission opened an investigation in August 2020 and asked for the refinery maintenance schedule and the insurance held by the companies involved; no answer was reported.
- The Academia de Ciencias Físicas, Matemáticas y Naturales (February 2022) said PDVSA's 1986 contingency plan had not been applied efficiently in the last 20 years.
- A later spill in August 2024 appeared to come from El Palito and covered about 225 km2 according to Klein's satellite images.
Who gained
Reached nature or the ground
Gained elsewhere
Responses on record
- pdvsa (August 2020; August 2024): No official statement or explanation of the spill was reported in August 2020; no immediate comment on the August 2024 spill. · Voz de América
- venezuela-ministry-ecosocialism (August 2020): Minister Oswaldo Barbera said a dive found no effect on the coral reefs and that the seabed was in perfect condition; vice-minister Josué Lorca said 90% of the coasts of Morrocoy National Park and Golfo Triste had been cleaned. · Voz de América
In court and with insurers
Lawsuits and rulings
- 2020–Outcome not on recordNational Assembly environment commission inquiry into the 2020 spillNational Assembly of Venezuela (opposition-led), environment commission · Administrative · National Assembly environment commission → None named
The commission opened an investigation in August 2020 and asked for the refinery maintenance schedule and for the insurance held by the companies involved. No answer, finding or court proceeding was reported. Voz de América
Insurers
- 2020No policy foundNot disclosed → The companies involved (not named in the request)Stated reason: No answer to the National Assembly commission's request was reported.
Deputy María Gabriela Hernández asked for the refinery maintenance schedule and for 'the insurance held by the companies involved'; VOA reported no reply on 18 August 2020. Voz de América
What nature saw
Nature's report opens this page. Below: further outcomes measured on the ground.
What we don't know
Money
- None on record Clean-up cost — No source states a cost.
- None on record Fine or compensation — None on record.
Court
- Unclear National Assembly environment commission inquiry into the 2020 spill: outcome not on record.
Insurers
- Unclear Not disclosed: no decision on record.
Figures
- Self-reported only Coastline oiled (km): Coast declared cleaned by vice-minister Lorca, 11 August 2020 (NTN24); self-reported.
Accounts
- Disputed Origin of the oil
- Disputed Date of the 26,730-barrel spill
- Disputed Public explanation of the spill
- None on record PDVSA: No official statement or explanation in August 2020.
Record
- Not disclosed Not disclosed: the type and quantity of hydrocarbon spilled; PDVSA gave no official statement or explanation in August 2020 (VOA, 18 August 2020).
- None on record None on record: a clean-up cost; no source states one.
- None on record None on record: a fine, compensation or insurance payment for the 2020 spill.
- None on record None on record: an answer to the National Assembly commission's request for the insurance held by the companies involved (VOA, 18 August 2020).
- None on record None on record: a court case or charge over the 2020 spill.
- Self-reported only Self-reported only: the official clean-up figures, more than 15.2 km cleaned and 90% of the oil removed by 1,200 volunteers, given by officials of the Ministry of Ecosocialism.
- Disputed Disputed: the origin of the oil. Scientists, NGOs and the National Assembly pointed to the El Palito refinery; the official version cited a cargo ship.
- Disputed Figures differ: volume. About 20,000 barrels (Klein, BBC News Mundo; Sociedad Venezolana de Ecología, VOA) against 26,730 barrels (Universidad Simón Bolívar report, EFE).
- Disputed Figures differ: extent of the slick. About 350 km2 (Klein, BBC News Mundo); about 260 km (Fundación Azul Ambientalistas, EFE); more than 80 km beyond Morrocoy (BBC News Mundo).
- Disputed Disputed: date of the 26,730-barrel spill. EFE (August 2020) gives 19–22 July 2020; Reuters (February 2022) gives July 2021.
Did the harm stop?
Not recorded as stopped. A further spill appearing to come from the same refinery was reported on 17 August 2024.
Who paid?
None on record. No clean-up cost, fine, compensation or insurance payment appears in the sources; clean-up was carried out by officials and volunteers.
Sources
Press and investigations
- El devastador derrame en Venezuela (The devastating spill in Venezuela)BBC News Mundo (via Prensa Libre) · 2020-08-15
- Científicos de Venezuela alertan por los derrames de petróleo de PDVSA (Venezuelan scientists warn about PDVSA oil spills)Reuters (via LM Neuquén) · 2022-02-16
- Oil spill reported off Venezuela's Caribbean coastReuters (via Hydrocarbon Processing) · 2024-08-19
Connected cases
- Lake Maracaibo chronic oil leaks Venezuela · 2010–2026 Related matter
- PDVSA (Company) — here: State oil company; operator of the El Palito refinery; there: State oil company; operator of the lake's installations and pipelines
- Ministry of Ecosocialism (Venezuela) (Government) — here: Environment ministry; reported clean-up progress; there: Environment ministry; minister said spills had always existed
- Fundación Azul Ambientalista (NGO) — here: NGO documenting oiled mangroves; there: Reported spills in six municipalities, September 2026
- Venezuela coastal oil spills: Golfete de Coro (2020) and Lechería (2022) Venezuela · 2020–2022 Related matter
- PDVSA (Company) — here: State oil company; operator of the El Palito refinery; there: State oil company; reported the Ulé–Amuay leak; did not reply on Lechería
- Ministry of Ecosocialism (Venezuela) (Government) — here: Environment ministry; reported clean-up progress; there: Ran the 2020 clean-up with PDVSA
- Venezuela gas flaring and methane from oil and gas Venezuela · 2012–2026 Related matter
- PDVSA (Company) — here: State oil company; operator of the El Palito refinery; there: State oil company; operator of the flaring sites
- Las Cristinas gold project: 2008 permit denial in the Imataca reserve, Crystallex ICSID award and court-ordered sale of CITGO's parent Venezuela · 2008–2026
- PDVSA (Company) — here: State oil company; operator of the El Palito refinery; there: Owner of the attached PDVH shares
- Nissos Amorgos tanker spill, Gulf of Venezuela, 1997, and the US$60 million environmental-damage judgment Venezuela · 1997–2014
- PDVSA (Company) — here: State oil company; operator of the El Palito refinery; there: Settled claimant for clean-up and preventive measures