NNPC uncovers 33 illegal pipeline connections, 220 illegal refineries in one week
NNPC uncovers 33 illegal pipeline connections, 220 illegal refineries in one week
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has disclosed that the security operatives uncovered 33 illegal pipeline connections and 220 illegal refineries in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, and Abia States in one week.
This was comprised in a documentary titled ‘War on Crude Oil Theft,’ posted on the company X (formally Twitter) handle.
The documentary said, “In the past week, 220 illegal refineries were discovered and confiscated in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Abia States.”
Between August 10 and 16, 2024, 416 cases by several incidence sources of Tantita Security Services, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Nigeria Agip Oil Company, Command and Control Centre, and government security agencies, noting that in the period under review, 33 suspects were arrested.
The company confirmed that efforts to combat crude oil theft are ongoing, with industry-wide security collaboration on hydrocarbon infrastructure showing significant progress.
NNPC reported that oil was discovered flowing from an illegal connection on a major pipeline in Brass, Bayelsa State. Additionally, the company found 33 illegal connections in Ikesi, West Boma, Sapele, Brass, and Tukubu in Bayelsa State, where a vandalised pipeline is currently being repaired. Illegal connections were also discovered in Tunbe and Ebube, Rivers State.
The documentary revealed that 15 vandalised pipelines in the wellhead caused five cases of oil spills in various locations in Delta states. Furthermore, 15 illegal storage sites containing stolen crude oil were confiscated in Delta, Rivers, and Imo States.
NNPCL reported 48 VAI violations at sea, resulting in the seizure of 63 wooden boats. On land, 11 vehicle arrests were made in Rivers and Delta States. The documentary specified that 48 incidents occurred in deep blue waters, 25 in the western region, 112 in the central region, and 231 in the eastern region.
However, the company promised that it wouldn’t back down on the war against crude oil theft.
Dailyeconomy on August 18, reported that The NNPCL has disavowed reports that it owes international oil traders up to $6.8 billion and that it has not remitted any money to the federation account since January of the year.
