Renaissance to investigate Trans-Niger pipeline explosion

Renaissance Group says there was a blast on its Trans-Niger oil pipeline in the coastal Rivers state and has dispatched a team to investigate.

Tony Okonedo, Renaissance Group’s spokesperson, confirmed the development to Reuters on Tuesday.

Okonedo said a joint investigation team has been sent to the site without providing further details.

TheCable had earlier reported that an explosion ruptured a section of the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP) in Bodo community, Gokana LGA of Rivers state.

The incident, which occurred late Monday night, led to a conflagration in the area.

In a video shared online, thick black smoke and flames were seen spreading rapidly into the surrounding mangrove forest.

The TNP, now under the control of Renaissance, was formerly operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC).

The pipeline, with a capacity of around 450,000 barrels per day, is a major oil artery that transports crude from onshore oilfields to the Bonny export terminal.

On March 13, Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings said it successfully completed the acquisition of Shell’s 100 percent equity holding in SPDC.

Renaissance is a consortium, which includes Nigeria exploration and production companies such as Aradel Energy, First E & P, Waltersmith, and ND Western, along with the international energy group Petroline.