By Adedapo Adesanya
Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO), operator of the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29, on Wednesday, announced the shutting down of its Nembe Oilfields following a leak after it was reported that National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) is investigating the development in Bayelsa State.
AEEPCO in a statement by its spokesman, Mr Ndianabasi Mathew, said that the field was shut as a precautionary measure to safeguard the environment from further degradation.
“AEEPCO, the operator of the OML 29, confirms it has detected an oil leak at its Nembe swamp facility in OML 29, Nembe Kingdom, Bayelsa State. The leak was reported on Monday, June 17, 2024, during routine operations.
“AEEPCO’s Oil Spill and Emergency Response Team were immediately activated and all production from OML 29 shut down. This is 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,” Mr Mathew said.
The spokesman quoted AEEPCO’s Group Managing Director, Mr Victor Okoronkwo, as saying: “During our operations on Monday, June 17, 2024, the subject leak was detected. A Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) with stakeholders has been initiated to determine the cause of this incident.
“While we regret the production losses to the Joint Venture and the nation and the potential environmental impact, our 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.
“Our joint venture partners and the relevant regulators; The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) have been notified of the incident.”
NOSDRA has scheduled a Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) to ascertain the cause of the spill, the estimated volume of crude spilled and its impact on the environment.
Mr Solomon Ukponevi, Head of NOSDRA’s field Office in Yenagoa said the agency was investigating the incident.
Modupe Gbadeyanka