An explosion occurred on a pipeline operated by Italian oil giant ENI in southern Nigeria, causing a reduction in exports and an oil spill, its Nigerian subsidiary said on Monday.
The ENI-led joint venture Naoc said an explosion occurred at its facility in Nembe, Bayelsa State, reducing exports from the Brass terminal by 25,000 barrels per day (bpd). “An incident occurred on the 24 Ogoda/Brass oil line” at Okparatubo in Nembe Local Government Area. “The event was caused by an explosion, which resulted in a spill,” it said.
Residents of fishing villages operating in the creeks and near the Atlantic coastline in Nembe and Brass have complained about the negative consequences of frequent spills in the area.
“Every time there is a spill, our nets and other fishing gear are soaked with crude oil, they are doomed and we can no longer use them because the smell of crude oil scares away the fish,” lamented Noel Ikonikumo, president of a local fishermen’s union. “We have written to the companies concerned to hear us and help us, but we have not received any response…