Shell Oil Pipeline Spill Contaminates Rivers State Community

Five barrels of Shell Oil spill  into Bodo community in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State during a clean up of Trans Niger Pipeline contaminated the area on August 3, 2022.

Shell Petroleum Development Company revealed this in a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) report signed by the host community, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, as well as the Rivers State Ministry of Environment.

The oil spilled during the flush out of the pipeline, which had residual crude oil of about five barrels, resulting to 98% water and 2% crude oil discharging into Bodo community.

Prime Business Africa gathered that the oil spill was minimal due to lack of activity on the Trans Niger Pipeline since mid-June 2022. Shell had abandoned work on the pipeline due to constant oil theft.

However, the pipeline discharged beyond shell’s Joint Venture right of way, according to the spokesperson of SPDC Nigeria Limited, Michael Adande.

In the statement released explaining the oil discharge, Shell said, “The spill from the Bomu-Bonny section of the SPDC JV’s Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State on August 3, 2022 was largely water (98%) from the ongoing flushing of the TNP, with residual crude oil of about five barrels as established by the signed report of the Joint Investigation Visit led by regulators, and involving representatives of the Rivers State Ministry of Environment and the community.

“Owing to the high level of theft, the SPDC has not processed crude oil through the TNP since mid-June 2022. Clean up of the impacted area and repair work on the pipeline are under way.” The company said.