x

Blast at Nembe field cut oil export by 25,000 bpd

Eni, parent company of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), has said a blast at its facility in Nembe, Bayelsa State, has cut oil export from its Brass Export Terminal by up to 25,000 barrels per day.

The oil major said yesterday that the incident was the second attack in a few days after an earlier incident of February 28, this year at its Obama flowstation led to production shortfalls of 5,000 barrels per day (bpd).

A statement by the management of Eni indicated that gas output of 13 million standard cubic metres per day had been deferred due to the incident.

NAOC, the Nigerian unit of the Italian energy firm, Eni, had declared Force Majeure on expected oil output at Brass terminal, gas feeds to Bonny NLNG and Okpai power plant.

Force Majeure is a legal clause in contracts, which absolves firms from legal liabilities due to circumstances beyond their control.

Eni said: “An incident occurred on the Ogoda/Brass 24 oil line, at Okparatubo in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The event was caused by a blast, consequently causing a spill.

“All wells connected to that pipeline were immediately shut down whilst river booms and containment barges were mobilised to reduce the impact of the spill.

“Regulators for inspection visit and repair teams have also been activated. State and Federal Government and security authorities were notified.”

“Deferred production is estimated at 25,000 barrel of oil per day and about 13 MSCM/d of gas. Force majeure has been declared at Brass terminal, Bonny NLNG and Okpai power plant.”

The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) confirmed that Joint Investigative Visits (JIVs) on the two incidents have been conducted.

NOSDRA, however, said the field officers assigned had yet to file their reports.

The Director-General, NOSDRA, Mr Idris Musa, said the two incidents were traced to vandalism, adding that 20 barrels leaked on February 28 incident, while 1,249.8 barrels were discharged into the environment in the second incident.

Meanwhile, residents at the predominantly fishing settlements, who operate in the creeks and near the Atlantic shoreline at Nembe and Brass in Bayelsa State have lamented the adverse impact of frequent spills in the area.

The Chairman, United Fishing Union, Sangana, Mr Noel Ikonikumo, listed the oil spills to include the November 5, 2021 well blowout from Aiteo’s field in Nembe, a gas leakage at Conoil’s field at Sangana in Brass LGA also in November, this year.

He said barely three months after the November 5, last year incident from Aiteo’s field, another leak occurred in February, this year, while another two incidents occurred near Agip’s Obama flowstation in Nembe which cumulatively polluted the waters they fish in.

Ikonikumo said: “These spills have threatened our vocation and the oil companies responsible have been insensitive to the plight of fishermen who operate in their neighbourhood.

“Whenever there is a spill, our nets and other fishing gears get soaked in crude and get condemned because one can no longer use them as the smell of crude oil scares fishes away.

“We have written to the companies concerned to see reason with us and assist us but have not got any response. We are contemplating seeking redress in court.”

Hot this week

Tinubu Approves 100Km Stretch of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Through Edo State

Umahi praises Gov. Okpebholo, contractor CBC for infrastructure effortsBy...

Countdown to 2027: Tinubu to Appoint New INEC Chairman This Week

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially accepted the exit...

Dinfa: Only a Northern Christian President Can Protect Northern Christians

By Israel Adamu, JosThe National Coordinator of the Young...

Arsenal Keeper David Raya Signs Improved Deal After Stellar Form

The Spanish shot-stopper, who joined Arsenal permanently from Brentford...

Gov Mutfwang’s Re-Election, Most Noble Ambition for Plateau – Commissioner

By Israel Adamu, JosThe Commissioner for Local Government and...

Manchester United Owners Issue Fresh Statement Amid Renewed Sale Speculation

Manchester United’s ownership saga has taken another twist after...

WCQ 2026: Troost-Ekong Shines as Nigeria Defeat Lesotho 2–1

Nigeria boosted their 2026 World Cup qualification hopes with...

Nigeria’s World Cup Hopes Boosted as CAF Adjusts Qualification Rules

Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World...

China, Nigeria Deepen Cultural Ties as 2025 Women’s Film Festival Opens in Abuja

The opening ceremony of the 2025 China Women’s Film...

Langtang North Residents Applaud Council Chairman Tyem for One Year of Developmental Achievements

By Israel Adamu, JosResidents of Langtang North Local Government...

JUST IN: ISWAP Launches Deadly Attack on Military Base in Borno, Soldiers Feared Killed

Several soldiers are feared dead while others sustained injuries...

Today’s football match fixtures

Here’s a clean, reader-friendly rewrite of today’s global football...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img