NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has uncovered 122 illegal oil refining sites across the Niger Delta region in the past week. This discovery is part of NNPCL’s ongoing efforts to combat oil theft and pipeline vandalism, which have been major challenges for Nigeria’s oil industry.
A documentary released by NNPCL on Tuesday highlighted the scale of illegal activities disrupting the oil sector. The company reported that it had identified 65 illegal pipeline connections and removed them within the past week in Rivers and other states in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
“From May 18 to 24, we recorded 310 incidents across the Niger Delta region,” NNPCL disclosed. The 122 illegal refineries were found in locations including Tomble II, III, IV, and Umuajuloke in Rivers State, as well as Oporomor III, Eduwini, and Ajatiton in Bayelsa State. Additionally, vandalised well heads were discovered in Tomble IV, Rivers, and Egbema in Imo State.
NNPCL’s efforts led to significant seizures and arrests. The company reported confiscating 20 vehicles, including a tanker, in Delta and Imo states. In addition, 29 boats transporting crude oil or illegally refined products were seized across several creeks in Bayelsa and Delta states. NNPCL also announced the arrest of 33 suspects connected to these illegal activities.
Five illegal storage sites were identified, where oil was stored in sacks, pits, cans, and even at a filling station. In Akwa Ibom State, a filling station selling illegally refined fuel to motorists was sealed.
The NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, emphasized the importance of addressing security issues in the oil and gas sector to boost production. Kyari pointed out that oil theft and vandalism significantly hamper Nigeria’s crude oil production.
“How do you increase oil production? Remove the security challenge we have in our onshore assets. As we all know, the security challenge is real. It is not just about theft, it is about the availability of the infrastructure to deliver the volume to the market,” Kyari said.
He elaborated on the extensive measures taken over the past two years, stating, “Within the last two years, we removed over 5,800 illegal connections from our pipelines. We took down over 6,000 illegal refineries. You simply cannot get people to put money until you solve that problem.”
The ongoing efforts by NNPCL are crucial for stabilizing Nigeria’s oil production, which has been plagued by these security challenges. By uncovering and dismantling illegal refineries and pipeline connections, NNPCL aims to restore confidence in the sector and encourage investment.
Kyari’s remarks highlight the broader implications of these illegal activities, stressing that the infrastructure needed to deliver oil to the market must be secured to attract investment and boost production.
The recent discoveries and actions taken by NNPCL show the magnitude of illegal oil refining and theft in the Niger Delta. With continued efforts and enhanced security measures, NNPCL aims to curb these illegal activities, ensuring the stability and growth of Nigeria’s vital oil industry.