NNPC uncovers 240 illegal oil refineries, pipeline connections in one week

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited says it recorded 240 incidences pertaining to crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta in one week.

NNPC, in a documentary on its social media handle on Wednesday, said the incidents mostly occurred in Bayelsa state between July 15 and 21, 2023.

Giving a break down of the events, the company said it discovered 93 illegal pipeline connections and 69 illegal refineries, saying disconnections were ongoing.

“War on crude oil theft: 93 illegal pipeline connections discovered and 69 illegal refineries destroyed in the Niger Delta in the past week,” the company wrote.

“27 pipeline vandalism, 30 arrest/wooden boats/trucks, 13 vessels AIS infractions, five oil spills, one document validation, and two illegal vessels.”

Some of the illegal refineries and pipelines discovered were located in Upata, and Abua, Rivers state, and Gbokoda, Delta state.

In the documentary video, the NNPC said the illegalities were discovered using its maritime intelligence system.

The oil firm added that repair work was ongoing on the vandalised pipeline.

“27 cases of pipeline vandalism were recorded and are being repaired, 13 automatic identification system infractions were flagged using NNPC’s maritime intelligence system and have been escalated to the navy through NNPC’s incidence management and reporting application,” the company said.

“30 wooden boats used in conveying stolen crude oil were confiscated in the past week, with some in Gbokodo, Delta state while two illegal vessels were arrested and five cases of oil spill recorded.”

The company noted that it would not relent in its fight against crude oil theft in the country.