A spokesman for the Ministry of Fisheries and the Environment said the fine was levied against the oil major because of pollution of beaches and damage to fishing in the Cabinda region, one of the former Portuguese colony's main offshore oil regions. Investigations showed the spill was caused by poorly maintained tubing.
ChevronTexaco has promised to invest US$108 million to replace pipes. Last week, the company said it reduced crude production in Angola by about 55,000 barrels per day or 12 percent, after a leak at a crude pipeline which transports oil from the Malongo area to its export terminal in Cabinda. The pipeline has been shut for about two weeks after leaks were discovered.
