NOSDRA reports oil leak from Shell’s underwater pipeline in Bayelsa community

The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has reported an oil spill from Shell’s underwater pipeline in Obololi, southern Ijaw local government area (LGA) of Bayelsa.

In a statement on Thursday, Chukwuemeka Woke, director-general of NOSDRA, said the agency received a report of the incident on Monday and initiated a joint investigative visit (JIV) to determine the cause of the spill.

He said the leak was detected in Shell’s 16-inch Nun River-Kolo Creek pipeline, causing crude oil to spill into the River Nun, affecting communities around Obololi.

However, Woke said the exact cause of the leak remains unknown as the pipeline is submerged in water.

“The JIV was led by NOSDRA and included stakeholders such as Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), the Bayelsa Ministry of Environment, and representatives of the affected community to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident,” he said.

“The JIV aims to recommend necessary regulatory compliance actions to mitigate the spill’s impact.

“The cause of the spill is unknown because the suspected leak point is submerged in water, making the investigation inconclusive. SPDC is preparing a coffer dam to access the spill point.”

Woke added that containment measures are in place, with temporary storage tanks on the way, and recovery of the spilt crude is set to begin on Friday.

The director-general said NOSDRA is actively monitoring the situation to ensure appropriate response actions.

Target Segibo, chairman of Southern Ijaw LGA, who visited the impacted areas earlier, pledged to provide an alternative water source for the affected communities following the pollution of the River Nun, which serves as their main water supply.