Shell confirms spill in Rivers community

Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited has confirmed discharging five barrels of crude oil from the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) into Bodo community in Gokana Council of Rivers State.

The information was contained in a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) report signed by the host community, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), State Ministry of Environment and SPDC.

In the report, the Shell’s TNP discharged 98 per cent water and two per cent crude into Bodo due to the ongoing flushing of the TNP, with residual crude oil of about five barrels.

Confirming the development, spokesperson for Shell, Michael Adande, noted that the impact of the spill – both within and outside the SPDC JV right of way – was minimal since the TNP has not transported crude oil since mid-June 2022.

He added that the JIV report will soon be available on SPDC’s oil spills site.

Adande said: “The spill from the Bomu-Bonny section of the SPDC JV’s TNP in Bodo, Gokana Council of Rivers State on August 3, 2022 was largely water (98 per cent) from the ongoing flushing of the TNP, with residual crude oil of about five barrels as established by the signed report of the JIV led by regulators and involving representatives of the Rivers State Ministry of Environment and the community.

“Owing to the high level of theft, SPDC has not processed crude oil through the TNP since mid-June 2022.

“Cleanup of the impacted area and repair work on the pipeline are under way.”