Attacks on Shell-operated facilities
Posted on November 13, 2009 – 2:17 pm | by oilandgaspress.com
Shell said suspected thieves have sabotaged five wellheads in the oil-producing Niger Delta since 14 August, some resulting in fires. No production was affected since most of the oilfields were already shut in because of insecurity in the region.
“We have growing concerns over the number of oil wellhead incidents due to apparent oil bunkering,” a Shell spokesman in Nigeria told Reuters.
“These incidents have severely tasked the resources of (Shell’s SPDC unit).”
Shell said four of its damaged wellheads - Bomu 41/50, Egwa 14, Jones Creek 47 and Odidi 14 - were under control.
But the Odidi 36 wellhead in Delta state is still leaking three months after the suspected sabotage.
“Shell is continuing efforts to recover spilled oil and gain access to the site to stop a well head spill at Odidi 36 in the western Delta,” the company said.
“The incident is strongly believed to be sabotage and has resulted in a virtual well blowout. Odidi is an insecure area with difficult swamp terrain.”
The company said it could not yet determine the extent of the environmental damage until it completes its investigation.
Tags: Damage, Delta State, Environmental, investigation, Niger Delta, swamp terrain
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