Eni lifts Force Majeure on oil output

Eni, parent company of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), on Wednesday lifted Force Majeure it declared on expected oil output as it resumed oil export from Brass Oil Export Terminal.

A Force Majeure is a legal clause in contracts which absolves firms from legal liabilities due to circumstances beyond their control.

The management said in a statement it issued through Mr Domenico Spins, Media Relations Manager, in charge of African operations, that the Force Majeure was lifted on Match 18, which signaled restoration of normalcy.

“Following the restoration of the Ogoda/Brass 243  oil pipeline at Okparatubo at Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, which was hit by blast on March 5, caused by a third-party interference, force majeure has been lifted at Brass terminal, Bonny NLNG and Okpai Power Plant effective March 18,” the management said.

The blasts lead to a shortfall of 25,000 barrels of crude oil and 23 million standard cubic metres of gas per day from the terminal.

The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) had confirmed that Joint Investigative visits on the two incidents which concluded the happening  to sabotage had been conducted.

Mr Idris Musa, Director-General of NOSDRA. told NAN that 20 barrels leaked in the Feb. 28, incident while 1,249.8 barrels were discharged into the environment in the March 5, incident.