Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa.
National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has said that operator of Nembe Creek Oilfields within OML 29 is resisting its efforts to probe the cause of Friday’s explosion in Nembe.
Mr Francis Umeh, Head of NOSDRA’s field Office in Bayelsa said in Yenagoa that Aiteo had frustrated plans by the spill agency to visit the site for assessment.
He regretted that the stance of the oil firm was slowing NOSDRA from promptly carrying out its mandate.
“We are experiencing resistance from the operator and we are currently mounting pressure on them for us to be given access to visit the site for preliminary assessment and so far they have been uncooperative.
“The incident occurred on Friday and it took them some time to report it officially to NOSDRA. We had plans to visit the site but the operator is resisting and frustrating our efforts.
“We are in touch with our Zonal Office and Headquarters on this and we are briefing them on developments.
“We also want to commence a Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) at once if the environment is conducive, it is the JIV that will establish the cause of the explosion and the volume of oil discharged,” Umeh said.
On the claims by Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Exploration Company that investigations into the explosion which occurred at an oil well within Aiteo’s oil block in Nembe, Umeh said that NOSDRA was not part of the said probe.
However, a statement signed by Management of the oil firm made available by its Public Relations Manager, Mr Ndiana-Abasi Mathew to our correspondent on Mach 2 claimed that investigation into the incident was underway and given priority.
“On 2 March 2019, a suspected explosion occurred within the vicinity of Nembe Creek Well 7, behind Mile 1 Community in Bayelsa State, which is not too far from Nembe field logistics base.
“Despite initial challenges, our operations team was able to access the well head area when the fire had completely died down on early hours of 2nd March.
“Preliminary investigations confirm that there were no fatalities; human incidents or damage to community property. All the wells and facilities in the immediate vicinity have been inspected and secured.
“Full investigations to determine the cause of the fire and, in particular, to determine whether this may have been caused by third-party infractions, remain ongoing.
“These investigations are being pursued with the utmost urgency and are have been given the highest priority.
We are continuing to work with all the relevant authorities to restore full functionality to all the relevant installations and affected areas,” Aiteo stated.
Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), in 2015, divested its equity in OML 29 and transferred its interest for $1.7 bn to Aiteo, an indigenous Oil and Gas Exploration and Production firm.
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