BRASILIA, Brazil, March 29 (UPI) -- An oil union in Brazil is seeking to suspend Chevron's and Transocean's operations in the country for an oil spill in November, a union director said.
"We're seeking the suspension of the contract in Brazil for an undetermined period of time and the payment of fines as well," said Brazilian union director Leopoldino Martins during an interview with Bloomberg News. "They don't have the technical conditions to operate."
More than 2,500 barrels of oil spilled at the Frade field, operated by Chevron, off the coast of Brazil in November. The company reported a similar incident near the same area this month.
Martins said Chevron and rig-owner Transocaean weren't in compliance with technical requirements at the offshore field.
Brazil charged executives from Chevron and rig-owner Transocean with environmental crimes tied to the oil leak in November. The government said the companies weren't acting responsibly during their operations at the Frade field.
"In Brazil these crimes could happen someplace else tomorrow," said Martins.
Chevron denies it was negligent in Brazil and said the March seep wasn't related to the November incident.
