Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) has said that it had shut oil production from its oil field in Kalaba community in Bayelsa State, due to activities of oil thieves.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that oil spill occurred on January 13 from a pipeline in the oil field, discharging crude oil and gas into the environment.
A statement from Eni, an Italian energy firm and the parent company of NAOC, said that the affected oil wells, located in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa, were shut down on January 29 to forestall further leakage of crude and gas.
Eni blamed the spill to sabotage by oil thieves.
“Eni confirms that on Jan.uary13 oil spill occurred on the Taylor Creek flow line located in Yenagoa L.G.A. in Bayelsa State, bringing shutting of the feeding well,’’ the firm said.
It said that repair of the affected pipeline was underway, and that oil production from the oil wells would restart after the repair.
According to Eni, findings during a visit to the site by representatives of the community, regulators and NAOC showed that three barrels of crude oil were discharged into the environment.
It said that the visit aimed at identifying the causes and assessing the impact of the oil spill was possible on January 29.
“The Joint Investigative Report confirmed that the spill was due to sabotage, presumably for oil theft purposes.
“The report also confirmed a minor leakage of three barrels,” it said.
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