20 October 2003 07:00
Lithuania, Russia need agreement for dealing with disasters in Baltic
oil production - Lithuanian official
VILNIUS. Oct 20 (Interfax) - Lithuania and Russia need to sign an agreement on dealing with the potential
consequences of possible oil leaks and compensation for environmental damage resulting from the development of the D-6
oil field in the Baltic Sea, Raimondas Sakalauskas, a department director in the Lithuanian Environment Protection
Ministry, told Interfax on Monday
He made this statement upon his return from a trip to Russia's Kaliningrad region where Lukoil is preparing to
start oil production in the Baltic Sea.
"My impressions of what I saw are better than I expected. Russians have chosen the best possible techniques for
operating the field," he said.
The protection system consists of several stages. If an accident occurred, the polluted water would be pumped out of
the sea and then gas, oil, and other substances would be extracted, Sakalauskas said.
Russian engineers have thoroughly analyzed the possible risks, he said.
"Lithuanian as well as Russian rescue groups, nature protection agencies and other services must be on stand by
for emergencies. This implies that an understanding must be reached not only with Lukoil but also between Lithuanian and
Russian Cabinets or agencies. Joint plans must be worked out to deal with possible emergencies and alert mechanisms must
be in place," Sakalauskas said.
Furthermore, an intergovernmental agreement needs to be signed on compensation for possible environment pollution,
ways to evaluate the damage, and other issues, he said. [LT EUROPE ASIA EMRG ENV DIP CRU RU] ap tj
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