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NNPC Discovers 122 Illegal Refining Sites in Niger Delta

Published by Tope Fakinlede on May 29th, 2024.

NNPC Discovers 122 Illegal Refining Sites in Niger Delta

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has uncovered 122 illegal oil refining sites across the Niger Delta region over the past week.

A documentary released by NNPC on Tuesday, cited by PUNCH, revealed that 65 illicit pipeline connections were detected and dismantled within the same timeframe in Rivers and other states within the Niger Delta.

Between May 18 and 24, a total of 310 incidents were recorded across the region, highlighting the ongoing battle against oil theft and vandalism, according to NNPC.

In Akwa Ibom State, a filling station was discovered selling illegally refined fuel at Grey Creek. NNPC further reported that this filling station has been sealed.

The illegal refining sites were located in several areas, including Tomble II, III, IV, Umuajuloke in Rivers State, and Oporomor III, Eduwini, and Ajatiton in Bayelsa State. Additionally, vandalized well heads were found in Tomble IV, Rivers, and Egbema in Imo State, along with a pit containing crude oil from a damaged wellhead.

NNPC also identified five unauthorized storage sites with oil stored in sacks, pits, cans, and another filling station. In Delta and Imo states, authorities seized 20 vehicles, including a tanker, and 29 boats transporting crude oil or illegally refined products across various creeks in Bayelsa and Delta states. Thirty-three suspects were arrested in connection with these activities.

NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, recently emphasized the importance of addressing security issues in the oil and gas sector to boost production. He noted that the country’s crude oil production is suffering due to persistent theft and vandalism.

“To increase oil production, we must eliminate the security challenges facing our onshore assets. These challenges are not limited to theft but also involve ensuring the infrastructure needed to deliver the volume to the market is intact. No investor will commit funds knowing that the production won’t reach the market. Over the past two years, we have removed more than 5,800 illegal connections from our pipelines and dismantled over 6,000 illegal refineries. This issue must be resolved to attract investment,” Kyari stated.