Nigerian oil producer, Oando Plc, has completed repair works on a damaged crude oil pipeline in Bayelsa State following four separate spill incidents in recent weeks.
The company disclosed on Tuesday that the spills were caused by sabotage and said emergency responses were activated immediately after each occurrence to contain the impact and limit environmental damage.
According to Oando, the spills occurred on a pipeline operated by Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), a subsidiary it acquired from Italian energy firm, Eni.
The company noted that after each incident, it shut down affected wells and crude delivery, and deployed containment measures while working with regulators and local communities.
“A joint investigation was conducted by our team in collaboration with the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and representatives from the impacted communities,” the statement said.
The company, however, did not disclose the quantity of crude spilled or the duration of the shutdowns, but assured that all repairs had been concluded and operations had resumed along the affected pipeline segment.
To prevent a recurrence, Oando said it is planning a sectional replacement of the pipeline infrastructure.
The company added that this proactive approach would help strengthen its asset integrity and reduce risks of sabotage related spills in the future.
“We remain committed to responsible oil production practices and are working to improve the resilience of our infrastructure, especially in vulnerable areas,” Oando stated.
Pipeline vandalism and oil theft have remained persistent challenges in Nigeria’s oil producing regions, contributing to environmental degradation, loss of revenue, and community unrest.
Industry analysts have noted that such incidents discourage investment and further complicate efforts to boost national crude output.
Bayelsa State, located in the Niger Delta, is one of the country’s highest oil producing states but has also been one of the hardest hit by oil related pollution over the decades.
The federal government has in recent years launched joint security operations and surveillance contracts in collaboration with local actors to curb oil theft and pipeline sabotage.
However, the problem persists in several areas due to difficult terrain, limited access, and longstanding grievances within host communities.
Oando’s latest action adds to efforts by industry players to tighten operational safety and rebuild community trust in the aftermath of environmental incidents.
