Shell reports oil spill in PH community, blames overflow during flushing operations

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) reported a fresh oil spill at its facility at Ogale, near Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

According to a report by Reuters on Tuesday, Shell said the spill occurred after the saver pit overflowed during flushing operations in the Niger Delta region.

The oil company said its spill response team contained the overflow and informed authorities.

Shell added that “arrangements were being made for a regulator-led joint visit to determine the cause and impact of the spill”.

Also, the publication said the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) said the spill occurred after an underground pit filled with crude started flowing to a pipeline that separates an area of the Ogoni cleanup project.

On December 14, 2024, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said an oil spill incident occurred at the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) loading terminal, SMI, in Bonny, Rivers.

The agency had said that the SPDC responded promptly by shutting down the affected pipeline and deploying “containment booms” to protect the neighbouring communities.

On August 14, 2024, an oil spill occurred on an SPDC facility in the Imiringi community, Bayelsa state.

The SPDC said the incident was caused by oil thieves.