The National Infrastructure Development Company Limited (NIDCO) has revealed that methane gas was detected under the ANR Robinson Airport construction site in Crown Point, Tobago, on Sunday,
In a media statement, NIDCO said the gas was 95 feet underground and was discovered during a routine pipe installation exercise by the contractor as part of the planned works on the airport project.
It added that following the discovery, all relevant authorities were notified, and preliminary testing was undertaken with the support of the National Gas Company (NGC) to determine the type and origin of the gas.
NIDCO explained that all site activities were suspended, the area was cordoned off, and the Fire Service remained on standby for the rest of the day.
It added that the gas pressure had significantly dissipated around 6 pm on the same evening.
Further tests were conducted on Monday by an independent consultant, confirming that the gas was methane—a common biogas occurring in shallow swampy areas.
NIDCO said although the gas has now fully dissipated, monitoring for its presence at the source will continue in the interest of public safety.