A late Monday explosion on Nigeria’s Trans-Niger Pipeline has disrupted oil flow, prompting an investigation. Local residents reported the blast in Rivers State, with thick smoke visible. Operated by Shell and NNPC, the pipeline carries over 450,000 barrels of oil daily. Two individuals were arrested, and a joint investigation team has been dispatched. While the cause remains uncertain, possible leads include sabotage and vandalism.
An explosion occurred late Monday on the Trans-Niger Pipeline, a significant oil transport route in Nigeria, leading to substantial disruptions in oil flow. Authorities announced on Tuesday that an investigation into the incident has been initiated. Residents in Rivers State reported witnessing a loud blast followed by intense heat and flames, with thick smoke observable from considerable distances.
The Trans-Niger Pipeline, operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company alongside the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), spans roughly 180 kilometers (112 miles) and can transport over 450,000 barrels of crude oil daily to export terminals, mainly the Bonny Export Terminal.
The Renaissance Group, which manages the pipeline, confirmed the incident and indicated that a joint investigation team was dispatched to assess the situation. Tony Okonedo, a spokesperson for the group, elaborated on the response efforts. The Rivers State Police Command has detained two individuals associated with the explosion, according to Police Public Relations Officer SP Grace Iringe-Koko.
Iringe-Koko stated that a thorough investigation has been launched to ascertain the cause of the explosion, which ignited a fire in a mangrove area. Fortunately, the fire has been extinguished, thus mitigating potential environmental harm. While the precise cause remains undetermined, there are suggestions of sabotage, vandalism, or equipment failure being possible factors. This incident adds to the mounting issues affecting Nigeria’s oil infrastructure amidst ongoing political and economic difficulties, and officials have yet to disclose the extent of the damage or its potential impact on oil production.
The explosion on the Trans-Niger Pipeline has disrupted a critical oil transportation route in Nigeria, prompting an investigation into its cause. The involvement of both police and the Renaissance Group indicates a serious approach to addressing potential sabotage or vandalism issues. The incident underscores ongoing vulnerabilities within Nigeria’s oil infrastructure amid broader political and economic troubles, necessitating careful monitoring of the situation and its implications for oil production.
Original Source: www.pipeline-journal.net
