Shell Recovers Oil from Spills, Shuts Pipeline

• Shell Recovers Oil from Spills, Shuts Pipeline

Royal Dutch Shell subsidiary, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC), yesterday said it has recovered more than 95 per cent of the oil from two spills that took place this year, although the pipeline that carries crude to the coast for export remains closed.

The Trans Ramos pipeline, which carries some Forcados crude oil to the export terminal of the same name, closed in late April following two leaks, one in Abhoro in Bayelsa State and one in Odimodi, in Delta State.

A spokesman for Shell said there had been no change in the operating status of the pipeline.

“As soon as clean-up and site assessment are completed, we are committed to starting the immediate remediation of the impacted areas in Aghoro and Odimodi,” SPDC said in a statement.

The Forcados grade, along with Bonny Light and Qua Iboe, is one of Nigeria’s three largest crude streams.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Ambrose Orjiako, said market exists for gas produced in the country, adding that the remained committed to producing the product for the country

Orjiako who spoke during a breif ceremony to mark the 60th birthday of the Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Mr. Austine Avuru in Lagos, said part of the reasons why there is growth in gas treatment is because there is increasing demand with good pricing for the product.

The theme of the forum was: 60 Years Later: Preparing for a Nigeria without Oil.

He said the environment remains very conducive for gas supply to the industry as well as to the agriculture sector.

“Seplat as an organisation does not always project, but at all times we say that the future is bright for the company. Given the very strong foundation and fundamental conditions of Seplat, we can only look ahead and know that the future is very bright for the company,” he said.