The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has attributed a recent oil spill in the Imiringi community, Bayelsa State, to oil thieves. The spill, which occurred on July 27, 2024, was investigated by a Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) team, including government regulators, community representatives, and SPDC.
According to SPDC Media Relations Manager Mr. Bamidele Odugbesan, the investigation revealed that approximately three barrels of Bonny light crude were spilled from the company’s Kolo Creek Well 22T flowline facility. Despite initial community concerns about pollution affecting farmlands and water bodies, SPDC reported that the entire spill volume has been recovered, though some residue remains.
The JIV, led by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), concluded on July 30, confirming that illegal third-party activities caused the spill. The JIV team also included representatives from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
SPDC has initiated cleanup and remediation efforts and is currently repairing the breached pipeline. The company assures that all necessary measures are being taken to address the incident and prevent future occurrences.