Criminal Charges in Frade Oil Spill Case Against Chevron and Transocean Dismissed (Brazil)

A Brazilian judge dismissed the charges against Chevron Corp, Transocean Ltd and 17 of their employees related to the oil spill in the Brazilian Frade field in November 2011.

As Reuters reported, after the claims are discharged, the industry watchers will address the civil case and Chevron administrative efforts to restart output in the Frade field.

According to Chevron’s statements from December, the company acknowledged that the settlement of 30 million reais ($15.2 billion) would be reasonable for the civil case.

The company also expressed hope that it would be able to restart output at the Frade field by early January, but due to several circumstances that could not be achieved.

Reuters also reported that the Chevron and Transocean press offices confirmed the information of the dismissal of criminal charges.

Chevron said in a statement that it “is pleased by the court’s decision. Chevron Brasil remains committed to its policy of full transparency and close cooperation with the Brazilian authorities.”

Frade field is located in the Campos Basin at a water depth of 3,700 feet (1,128 m), approximately 230 miles (370 km) northeast of Rio de Janeiro.

Production began in 2009 and the capacity is approximately 100,000 barrels of crude oil per day, with an estimated peak annual production of 75-85,000 oil-equivalent barrels per day.

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Subsea World News Staff, February 21, 2013;  Image: Chevron