NEWS

NNPC Uncovers 122 Illegal Refineries In Niger Delta

Vandalized wellheads were reported at Tomble IV in Rivers State and Egbema in Imo State.

By Nydra Ayibapreye

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited announced that it discovered 122 illegal oil refining sites across the Niger Delta region last week.

According to a documentary released by the company on Tuesday, 65 illegal pipeline connections were found and removed in Rivers and other states in the oil-rich Niger Delta over the past week.

“310 incidents were recorded between May 18 and 24 across the Niger Delta region,” the NNPCL disclosed while reeling out its efforts in fighting oil theft and vandalism.

The 122 illegal refineries were identified at Tomble II, III, IV, and Umuajuloke in Rivers State, as well as Oporomor III, Eduwini, and Ajatiton in Bayelsa State.

Vandalized wellheads were reported at Tomble IV in Rivers State and Egbema in Imo State.

A pit filled with crude oil from a vandalized wellhead was also discovered.

Additionally, five illegal storage sites containing oil stored in sacks, pits, cans, and a filling station were found, according to the energy company.

The state-owned company further reported that 20 vehicles, including a tanker, were seized in Delta and Imo states, while 29 boats transporting crude oil or illegally refined products were confiscated across various creeks in Bayelsa and Delta states. A total of 33 suspects have been arrested in connection with these incidents.

A filling station in Akwa Ibom State was sealed for selling illegally refined fuel to motorists. This station, located at Grey Creek in Akwa Ibom State, was uncovered during the operation.

These developments follow the emphasis by NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari on the need to combat insecurity in the oil and gas sector to boost production. Kyari noted that the nation’s crude oil production continues to decline due to oil theft and vandalism.

Kyari said, “How do you increase oil production? Remove the security challenge we have in our onshore assets. As we all know, the security challenge is real. It is not just about theft, it is about the availability of the infrastructure to deliver the volume to the market.

“No one is going to put money into oil production when he knows the production will not get to the market. Within the last two years, we removed over 5,800 illegal connections from our pipelines. We took down over 6,000 illegal refineries. You simply cannot get people to put money until you solve that problem.”

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