BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Police are investigating the disappearance of a significant amount of data on Barbados’s critical oil industry from the Division of Energy and Telecommunications.

In a statement responding to a newspaper report that “millions of dollars worth of seismic data” had been reported missing, the Division of Energy and Telecommunications sais that “the matter in question is now subject to an on-going police investigation” and as a result it “is not in a position to engage in a detailed discussion at this time.

“However, it is important to stress that while a hard drive containing seismic data was discovered to be missing from the Division, as part of sensible IT policy, a complete backup of this data had been created. Consequently, the Division has assured the public and its existing and potential stakeholders in Barbados’ offshore sector that it remains open for such business.”

It said that the purchase of seismic data from the Division of Energy and Telecommunications of the Prime Minister’s Office “is always a precursor to the establishment of relationships between the Government of Barbados and entities desirous of exploring the potential of Barbados’ valuable offshore acreage”.