NNPCL uncovers fresh 162 illegal pipeline connections, refineries in N’Delta

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has said it discovered 162 illegal pipeline connections and illegal refineries in the Niger Delta, mostly in Bayelsa in the past week.

In a documentary by the oil company shared via its social media ‘X’ handle on Wednesday, NNPCL said 93 illegal pipeline connections and 69 illegal refineries were discovered from Aboa and Gbokoda between July 15 and 21, and had been destroyed.

It noted this as part of its fight against crude oil theft in the country.

“War on crude oil theft: 93 illegal pipeline connections discovered and 69 illegal refineries destroyed in the Niger Delta in the past week,” the company wrote.

In the video documentary, the company explained that large-scale crude oil theft was currently ongoing in the Niger Delta, adding that repairs were ongoing.

According to NNPCL, the illegalities were discovered using its maritime intelligence system.

“30 wooden boats used in carrying stolen crude oil were confiscated in the past week, with some in Gbokodo, and five cases of oil spill recorded in the deep blue waters,” it said.

The company said it would not relent in its fight against crude oil theft in the country.

Earlier report had revealed how a militant group, a self-acclaimed Niger Delta militant group, Creek Reform Warriors threatened to resume attacks on major oil facilities in the region.

In a statement, the group particularly threatened to attack facilities operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, over alleged unjust sacking of some workers in Forcados terminal.

Leader of the group, General Igbokuro Tinowei had demanded reinstatement of all workers from Ogulagha and Odimodi communities, who according to him, were sacked unjustly by SPDC in 2019.

He claimed that the IOC had promised to recall the sacked workers immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic, but serially defaulted; while warning the management of SPDC to reinstate the said workers within two weeks or face dire consequences of brutal attacks.

Amidst the uproar, the NNPCL said the Federal Government would renegotiate the country’s production quota in the ongoing OPEC+ cuts by November.