Nigeria’s oil export has suffered setback as Total
E&P Nigeria
Limited (TEPNG) has stopped expedition of crude on its Obagi – Rumuekpe
12-inch oil export pipeline in Rivers State.
The stoppage of oil expedition on the pipeline followed what the
company described as an abnormal situation which was experienced during
crude oil expedition on August 16, 2015.
The company’s Deputy General Manager in charge of Media and Public
Affairs, Mr. Charles Ogan, said in a statement Tuesday that during crude
oil expedition operation on August 16, it was observed that the oil
expedited from Obagi was not received at Rumuekpe metering station.
“Expedition was immediately stopped and a helicopter over-flight was
carried out, which revealed oil spill and fresh excavations on the
pipeline Right Of Way,” he said.
Ogan stated that the relevant authorities have been informed.
According to him, in view of the highly volatile nature of the area and
the security concerns, the company is working with the security
agencies to secure the location and provide safe access for intervention
teams.
Ogan did not disclose the volume of crude oil affected as he noted that
the volume of oil spilled and area of impact have not been estimated.
He however gave the assurance that further updates on the incident which occurred within Oil Mining Lease (OML) 58 would be provided in due course.
Crude oil production in OML 58, which is located approximately 85 kilometres North-west of Port Harcourt began in 1966, while gas production started in 1999.
Gas is supplied from the facility to the Nigeria LNG plant in Bonny
Island, while crude oil is transported to Shell Bonny Export Terminal
through Shell pipelines at Rumuekpe.
Total E&P Nigeria operates OML 58 with a 40 per cent interest,
alongside the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which has
60 per cent.
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