NNPC records 310 incidents of crude oil theft in one week

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says it recorded 310 cases of crude oil theft in the past week.

According to a documentary by the NNPC on Tuesday, the incidences were discovered between May 18 and May 24.

NNPC said a filling station was also sealed for selling illegally refined fuel to motorists in Akwa Ibom state.

“Between May 18 and 24, 310 cases were recorded across the Niger Delta region by several incidence sources,” the NNPC said.

“They are Pipeline Infrastructure Limited (PINL), Nigeria Agip Oil Company, Maton Engineering Limited, Tantita Security Services, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), NNPC Command and Control Centre, and government security agencies. 

“In Grey Creek, Akwa Ibom state, a fuel station selling illegally refined fuels into cans and drums was uncovered in the past week.” 

NNPC said 122 illegal refineries were also uncovered in Bayelsa and Rivers states

According to the company, they were spotted in Tombia II, III, IV, and Umuajuloke, in Rivers state; Eduwini, Biogbolo, and Ajatiton, in Bayelsa state.

“65 illegal connections were discovered across several locations in Akuwa Odoka, Umuajuloke, and Watson Point, in Rivers state. Here, an illegally connected line is being removed along Soku Sand Barth pipeline in Rivers state,” NNPC said.

“Vandalised wellheads were discovered in Tombia IIII in Rivers state and Egbema in Imo state. Here a pit is filled with crude oil from a vandalised wellhead.”

In Ndoni, Rivers state, NNPC said it uncovered a vandalised pipeline channelled to a nearby oil pit. 

“Five illegal storage sites were spotted in sacks, pits, cans, and in a fuel station,” the national oil company said.

“20 vehicle arrests were made in Delta and Imo states while 48 VAIS infractions were reported at sea. 

“39 wooden boats conveying stolen crude or illegally refined products were seized and confiscated across several creeks in Bayelsa and Delta states.”

NNPC said 48 of the incidents occurred in the deep blue water, 40 in the western region, 134 in the central region, and 88 in the eastern region.