The main objective of the exercise was to test the ability to respond to a hypothetical damage to the pipeline caused by unauthorized excavations, which in action was simulated by a spray spill. These types of risk situations for the environment and the community require coordinated and efficient action from both the company and the organizations involved.
During the exercise, all the planned resources were available to face a real emergency of this nature. Desktop simulations and coordination meetings were conducted to outline possible scenarios and the response of each institution involved. The drill allowed us to verify the effectiveness of the actions, the coordinated communications between the agencies, the equipment and the organizations that provide support in these circumstances.
Drill oldelval industrial park
Oleoductos del Valle (Oldelval) is the main midstream oil company in the region and the country. Its activity involves the comprehensive management and development, operation and maintenance of more than 1,700 kilometers of pipelines that constitute a unique and integrated network. It crosses four provinces of the country and extends from Rincón de los Sauces and Plaza Huincul in the province of Neuquén, continuing its route through Río Negro and La Pampa and finally reaching Puerto Rosales, province of Buenos Aires.
Simulation of an accident on the North Highway
Last February the simulacrum of a accident carter in Northern Highway, which caused surprise and curiosity. The incident took place near the Neuquén Petro Oeste service station. The accident consisted of an alleged collision between a transport unit containing methanol and a private vehicle on the North Highway, with the operational participation of more than 50 people.
The exercise was led by YPF, Neuquén Petro Oeste and the transport companies Rodríguez, Arioni and Tortoriello. The objective of this drill was to put into practice the Road Emergency Plan by providing a response between the various institutions to a situation of this type. In this way, work is being done to improve prevention and emergency management on one of the busiest roads in the city of Neuquén.
The provincial Government also participated through the Emergency and Risk Management Secretariat, Firefighters, Police, Provincial and Municipal Civil Defense, Health and various local organizations, as well as National Highways.
The Secretary of Emergencies and Risk Management, Luciana Ortiz Lunahighlighted that “for emergency teams, this type of exercise is vital.”
