OIL SPILL: Shell documents four incidents in January, still counting
By Eyo Nsima
Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited, a leading International Oil Company, IOC in Nigeria has already documented four oil spill incidents in the Niger Delta.
According to its report, the company, which is still counting other incidents, said they happened in early January 2021, due to sabotage of its facilities.
Specifically, the incidents took place on February 2,6,8 and 9, 2021, at different locations, including Nkali – Imo River2 Pipeline at Odagwa, Egbema to Assa Pipeline at Obile, Imo River Well 22S Flowline at Owaza, Assa to Rumuekpe Pipeline at Ububo Ochia and Assa to Rumuekpe Pipeline at Elele Alimini.
However, reacting to a recent ruling by a Dutch appeal court, which ruled that it was responsible for damage caused by leaks in the region, Shell had stated: “We continue to believe that the spills in Oruma and Goi were the result of sabotage. We are therefore disappointed that this court has made a different finding on the cause of these spills and in its finding that SPDC is liable.
“Sabotage, crude oil theft, and illegal refining are a major challenge in the Niger Delta. Indeed in 2019 around 95% of spill incidents from our operations, there were due to such criminal acts. Regardless of the cause, we clean up and remediate, as we have done with the spills in this case. SPDC also works with a range of stakeholders to find solutions to these complex issues. Like all Shell-operated ventures globally, we are committed to operating safely and protecting the local environment.”
Nevertheless, the court ordered Shell to pay compensation to Nigerian farmers, while the subsidiary and its Anglo-Dutch parent company were told to install equipment to prevent future damage.
