About 4,800 Illegal Pipeline Connections Nationwide- NNPCL Reveals

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, highlighted 4,800 illegal connections discovered across 5,000 kilometers of oil pipelines throughout Nigeria.

During a presentation before the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Kyari highlighted the grave impact of these illicit links, stating, “About 4,800 illegal connections are made on the over 5,000 oil pipelines across the country.”

He further emphasized the vulnerability of pipelines in the Niger Delta, noting that within 100 kilometers, around 300 insertions are weakening the pipes, jeopardizing oil flow and causing pressure issues.

Kyari also addressed unconventional security measures, highlighting the abnormality of engaging non-state actors to protect critical oil assets.

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Despite these challenges, he pointed out a positive shift in oil production, stating, “Unlike in July 2022 when less than 1.2 million barrels of oil were produced per day, it has been 1.5 million barrels per day within the last two to three months.”

When queried about the potential for increased daily oil production from 1.78 million to 1.8 million barrels, Kyari expressed confidence in the existing parameters outlined in the proposed budget, affirming their practicality and achievability for NNPCL.

Highlighting NNPCL’s commercial status, Kyari revealed the corporation’s contribution, having remitted N406 billion into the Federation Account as dividends between July and November of the current year, underscoring its financial significance.