Venezuela frees U.S.-operated oil exploration ship

70495762 Teknikperdan

(CARACAS, Venezuela) — Venezuela has released a U.S.-operated oil exploration ship and all 36 crewmembers, its Malaysian owners said Tuesday, five days after the vessel was detained in disputed waters off South America, Reuters reported. SapuraKencara Petroleum said Teknik Perdana was contracted to Texas-based Anadarko Petroleum, which was conducting a seabed survey on behalf of neighboring Guyana. The ship was boarded on Thursday by the Venezuelan navy and sailed to Margarita Island, the company said.

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By Professional Mariner Staff