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FG Shuts Down AEEPCo Oilfield Over Spillage


BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja

In a bid to stem the barrage of oil spills in the riverine areas, the federal government has shut down AITEO Eastern Exploration and Production Company Limited (AEEPCo) oilfields located at Santa Barbara in Nembe local government area of Bayelsa State over spillage.

This was intended to pave the way for proper investigation in order to guarantee the safety of lives and properties in the area. 

 A statement made available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr Saghir el Mohammed, revealed that the unfortunate oil spill occured on November 5, 2021, within Opu Nembe community at Well 1, Well Head, located at the Southern Field of Sant Barbara in form of a fountain. 

He said that as soon as the incident occured, that a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) comprising the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regualtory Commission (NUPRC), Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, community representatives and AEEPCo was set up in November 6, 2021 to immediately address the situation.

el Mohammed stated that the exercise was inclusive because of accessibility to the well head location, due to the hydrocarbon fumes that saturated the atmosphere in the area.

He noted that the JIT directed AEEPCo to shut down the impacted asset (well head) for appropriate oil response, a situation that compelled AEEPCo to deploy booms and skimmers to contain the spill crude oil from spreading.

 According to him, "As at November 10, 2021, efforts to shut the well was difficult due to inaccessibility but in an effort to safeguard the environment and livelihood, staff from the NOSDRA’s Yenagoa Field Office were deployed to the site to monitor and give progress report on the measures taken to address the issue". 

el Mohammed stated that the federal government through the ministry directed AEEPCo to engage all relevant stakeholders in the recovery process, adding that 3000 barrels of emulsified crude oil was recovered and held in a recovery barge. 

Also, that additional booms were deployed by the Clean Nigeria Associates (CNA) a Tier II response (CNA) system to work with the on-site recovery contractor.

He added, "Further effort yielded result as containment and recovery within the leak area was reinforced by 15th November. While CNA was mobilised to site for enhanced containment and recovery, Boot & Coots was mobilised for well control and securing".

The director said that AEEPCo has already secured temporary work permit for expatriates expected to work at the site, saying that logistics for the restoration of the well is in progress. 

He stated that a well- control company (Kenyon International) visited the area for on-the-spot assessment, just as containment and recovery is still on-going. 

Already, the well head experts have arrived Nigeria and are expected to commence work at the site today. 

In order to ensure safety and guaranty future operations in the area by AEEPCo, he said that NOSDRA has mandated the company to clean-up impacted areas, remediate the site, as well as evaluate the damages and provide post-spill impact assessment.

This is even as NOSDRA through the ministry is expected to provide updates on progress report at the site. 

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