The Cuban Petroleum Union (CUPET) has denied an alleged fire that occurred in one of the tanks at the Supertanker Base in the western province of Matanzas.
In a message on social media, the Cuban state entity addressed the reports circulating this Friday about the alleged explosion and stated that after verifying the technical details with specialists, “we clarify that no such fire occurred.”
CUPET explained that during maintenance work on the tank — which was empty — the sulfur accumulated on the surface generated smoke, which was quickly brought under control.
CUPET noted that the tanks that store Cuban oil, due to their high sulfur content, “accumulate elemental sulfur on their roofs.”
The statement explained that during maintenance, when oxyacetylene cutting is used to remove the roof, the sulfur present can combust.
It indicated that, to prevent this, water is applied before cutting begins, so “this combustion does not generate an open fire, but it does produce a column of thick gray smoke, without spreading, which dissipates quickly.”
The message from Unión Cuba Petróleo emphasized that work in that industrial zone continues without interruption.
[ SOURCE: PRENSA LATINA ]
