134 illegal oil refineries destroyed, 63 pipelines found in one week —NNPCL

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) has reported the destruction of 134 illegal refineries over the past week and the discovery of 63 illegal pipelines.

In a visual report, NNPC revealed that on Sunday at about 2am, a joint team of security agencies intercepted a large wooden vessel illegally loading stolen crude oil from Barge AGS01 in the OML 18 area of ​​operation. The vessel was found to be receiving crude oil from the barge based on credible intelligence information.

The state-owned oil company reported that while the barge was being towed by tugboats and detained, five speedboats used to transport the wooden boat to the illegal loading site were also detained. The tugboats and barges involved in the operation were seized for further investigation.

In Rivers State, two barges involved in illegal fueling activities were seized, and their crews arrested. In addition, wooden vessels transporting stolen crude oil were seized in Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa and Abia States.

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NNPC noted that 63 illegal connections were discovered at key locations across the Niger Delta. Immediate repairs were carried out on pipelines in Bayelsa and Abia States where illegal connections were detected and removed.

The company stressed that illegal oil refineries, which pollute the environment and drain the economy, were destroyed in states such as Rivers, Abia and Bayelsa. In Rivers State, a secret storage location was discovered, while in Bayelsa State, crude oil destined for the black market was seized. Law enforcers also intercepted a vehicle filled with stolen crude oil in jerry cans, and the driver was arrested.

The NNPC report detailed that 48 incidents occurred in the deep blue waters, 81 in the central region, 134 in the eastern region and 39 in the western region. A total of 25 suspects were arrested and handed over to government security agencies for further investigation.

From August 31 to September 6, 2024, NNPC identified 302 incidents in various locations in the Niger Delta. These incidents were reported by various sources including Tantita Security Services, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Maton Engineering Company, Heirs Energies Limited, Oando PLC, NNPC Command and Control Centre, and government security agencies.

NNPC vowed, “There will be no retreat in the fight against crude oil theft until the menace is eradicated.”

Despite continued efforts by security agencies, incidents of crude oil theft have continued to increase. NNPC Group Chief Executive Mele Kyari said crude oil theft is a significant deterrent to investor interest in the Niger Delta.

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