Nigeria’s crude oil production has plunged as Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company, operator of the NNPC/Aiteo Joint Venture on OML 29 shuts down oil production in the Nembe oilfields in Bayelsa State.
A statement issued by Aiteo Media Officer, Ndiana-Abasi Matthew, on Wednesday 19th June, confirmed an oil leak at its loading facility Nembe Creek on Monday evening.
“The leak was reported on Monday, June 17, 2024, during routine operations. AEEPCO’s Oil Spill and Emergency Response Team was immediately activated and all production from OML 29 shut down.”
The company described the actions as “a precautionary measure while mobilizing additional resources to contain the spill. The cause of the spill is currently undetermined. However, we are proactively engaging with stakeholders to mitigate the immediate effects.” The statement noted.
According Aiteo Group Managing Director, Victor Okoronkwo, the leak was detected during its operations on Monday.
He said that the relevant institutions have been notified and a Joint Investigative Visit with other stakeholders has commenced to unravel the cause of this incident.
Reports have it that the Joint Investigative Visit was slated for Wednesday.
The JIV comprised of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, members of the community, and other stakeholders.
While expressing regret over the “production losses to the Joint Venture and the nation and the potential environmental impact, the Company stressed that its current priority is to expedite an efficient spill management process in line with regulatory standards and collaborate with all stakeholders to restore production and mitigate associated risks.
On his part, the Chairman, Oil and Gas Committee, Nembe Kingdom, St. George Kumo, said the spill was caused by an accidental collision between two vessels one of which was loading crude oil at the time of the collision.
Kumo maintained that the spill had spread to Okpoama in neighbouring Brass Local Government Area and has paralyzed fishing and other economic activities in the area.
