Oil Theft: Nigeria records 2,181 vandalise point in one year
…As pipeline vandalism dips by 81% in one month
By Prince Okafor
In spite of the calmness in the Niger Delta region, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, said that the country recorded a total of 2,181 vandalised pipeline points in one year.
Investigation shows that this development hindered the amount of petroleum product that was supposed to be supplied to various terminals, as well as effective distribution across the country.
According to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, a latest full financial report for October 2019, “Products theft and vandalism have continued to destroy value and put NNPC at disadvantaged competitive position. A total of 2,181 vandalized points has been recorded between October 2018 and October 2019.
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It was also gathered that crude oil production was disrupted by shutdown of the TFP at Forcados for repairs while Bonny NCTL was shut down due to leaks on Right of Way, ROW near Boro/Awoba as well as at the Krakama axis.
The report also stated that production was also interrupted at Agbami, Akpo, Egina, Escravos, Usan, Amenam, Ima and Qua Iboe due to lube oil loss, pump issues, loss of power, riser protector replacement, pipeline repairs and flare management.
A breakdown of these oil theft activities showed that in October 2019, a total of 35 pipeline points were vandalized representing a decrease of 81 per cent from the 186 points vandalized in September 2019. Out of the vandalized points, 8 failed to be welded while only 1 pipeline was ruptured
Also, Ibadan-Ilorin axis accounted for 34 percent of the breaks while ATC-Mosimi and other routes accounted for 23 percent and 43 percent respectively.
The NNPC recorded the highest number of vandalized point in December, 2018, which stood at 264 points, while the least occurred in October, 2019, which recorded 35 points.
Meanwhile, the corporation has reinstated it willingness to continue to address the leakages in the sector, through adequate monitoring and transparency in it reports.
The company also reinstated that it will continue to collaborate with the local communities and other stakeholders continuously strive to reduce and eventually eliminate this menace.
