By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Reuters
Published on 2024-01-20 18:04:49
A leak from a pipeline owned by Shell’s subsidiary in Nigeria has resulted in a crude oil spill in the Niger Delta, as reported by the country’s spills agency and an environmental group on Saturday. The Obolo-Ogale pipeline, located in southern Rivers State and supplying the 180,000 barrel-per-day Trans Niger line which exports Bonny Light crude, had resumed operations earlier in the month after undergoing maintenance in December.
Local communities discovered the spill on Friday and promptly reported it to Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd., or SPDC, and the Nigerian Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, or NOSDRA. SPDC did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment, but NOSDRA confirmed that they have received a report on the spill and are planning a joint investigation visit to the site on Sunday, led by their head in Rivers State, Ime Ekanem, as told to Reuters.
This incident is not the first time Shell has encountered issues with oil spills in the Niger Delta, a region deeply affected by pollution, conflict, and corruption associated with the oil and gas industry. In fact, the company recently announced its plans to sell SPDC, effectively ending nearly a century of onshore oil and gas operations in Nigeria. The sale, agreed upon with a consortium of mostly local companies, is estimated to total up to $2.4 billion.
These recurring environmental and operational challenges highlight the ongoing impact and complexities of oil production and transportation in the Niger Delta. The spill serves as a reminder of the environmental risks and consequences associated with the oil and gas industry, particularly in vulnerable regions like the Niger Delta. The joint investigation visit by NOSDRA and other relevant authorities will be crucial in assessing the extent of the spill, as well as in implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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