Analysis of official spill records shows sabotage, corrosion and equipment failures continued to pollute oil-producing communities across the Niger Delta in July despite years of government spending on pipeline surveillance and repeated promises to curb pollution.
At least 10 oil spill incidents were recorded across Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa and Imo states in July, according to a PREMIUM TIMES review of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA)’s Oil Spill Monitor.
The review shows that Rivers State accounted for the highest number of reported incidents during the month, while pipeline infrastructure remained the most affected oil facility.
The spills occurred despite successive federal administrations committing billions of naira annually to pipeline surveillance and protection contracts aimed at reducing crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and associated environmental pollution.
PREMIUM TIMES has previously reported that although the federal government continues to increase spending on pipeline protection, oil-producing communities remain vulnerable to recurring spills, while clean-up and remediation efforts often lag behind.
The newspaper has also consistently reported concerns by environmental experts and civil society organisations that greater emphasis should be placed on preventing oil spills through improved pipeline integrity, maintenance and regulatory enforcement rather than relying largely on surveillance contracts.
NOSDRA records show that Renaissance Africa Energy Company recorded four separate spill incidents during the month.
The largest was reported on 16 July in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, where 25 barrels of crude oil, equivalent to about 3,980 litres, escaped from a pipeline due to operational and maintenance error.
The spill affected swamp vegetation, surface water and fishing nets both within and outside the company’s right of way.
NOSDRA directed the company to repair the damaged section of the pipeline, recover free-phase crude oil and undertake clean-up under the agency’s supervision.
On the same day, another Renaissance incident occurred in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, where 0.1 barrels (about 16 litres) of crude oil spilled following sabotage and oil theft, affecting surrounding vegetation.
The company also reported a four-barrel spill on 8 July at Elele Alimini in Emohua West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
According to the Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) report, the spill resulted from sabotage and theft and impacted vegetation, including palm trees that had encroached on the pipeline right of way.
A fourth Renaissance incident, reported on 4 July in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers, initially indicated a spill on land.
However, the JIV later concluded it was a false alarm after excavation found no leak on the pipeline.
The review also identified corrosion as a recurring cause of spills.
On 27 July, SEEPCO recorded a spill of 10 barrels, or about 1,590 litres, of crude oil in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
The spill, reportedly caused by corrosion, was contained two days later.
Similarly, Oando reported a one-barrel spill caused by pipeline corrosion on 5 July in Okoroma, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Earlier, on 3 July, Oando reported another incident involving nine barrels of condensate at Otua community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers.
Investigators found a 0.5-millimetre drill hole on the facility’s flowline, indicating a sabotage.
Operational and equipment failures also contributed to pollution during the month.
Aiteo Exploration and Production Company recorded a spill of 17 barrels, approximately 2,700 litres, on 13 July at its Central Processing Facility connected to the Nembe Crude Oil Export Terminal in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
NOSDRA attributed the incident to an overflow within the facility’s storage system.
On 11 July, Seplat Energy recorded a spill of 0.5 barrels, about 80 litres, in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State following equipment failure.
The spill affected seasonal swamp surface water.
NOSDRA recommended immediate repairs to the damaged equipment and prompt removal of oil sheen from the affected water body.
On 28 July, Heirs Energies reported a spill from the Nkale Well 13 Flowline in Odogwa I, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers.
NOSDRA assigned the incident number IN-0855 and estimated the volume at 0.0126 barrels, equivalent to about two litres of crude oil.
The spill stopped on 31 July and the JIV attributed the incident to sabotage.
