Shell Reports 75 Oil Spill Incidents in Niger Delta, Cites Crude Oil Theft and Sabotage

In the intricate web of the Niger Delta’s challenging oil landscape, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) unveiled its 2022 Briefing Notes, revealing 75 recorded oil spill incidents.

The report, titled “Nigeria Briefing Notes For 2022 Business Activities,” sheds light on the persistent challenges posed by crude oil theft and sabotage by third parties.

According to the comprehensive document, the majority of these incidents, a staggering 88%, were attributed to the illicit activities of external entities, emphasizing the prevalence of crude oil theft.

The report highlights that 75 breaches occurred, resulting in a spill volume of 0.6 thousand tonnes.

This marks a notable decrease compared to 2021, where 106 incidents led to a spill volume of 3.3 thousand tonnes.

The backdrop of this decline in incidents is characterized by a six-month production shutdown due to an unprecedented surge in crude oil theft from the Trans-Niger Pipeline, operated by SPDC on behalf of joint venture partners.

Despite the challenges, SPDC showcased its commitment to environmental responsibility by successfully remediating 230 impacted sites in 2022, surpassing the 187 sites addressed in the previous year.

Since 2016, a total of 776 sites have undergone successful remediation efforts.

The report underscores that the reduction in oil spill incidents is part of a broader, ongoing effort to combat crude oil theft, the sabotage of production facilities, and illegal oil refining.

These activities continue to be the primary contributors to environmental challenges in the Niger Delta region.

In essence, SPDC’s 2022 Briefing Notes serve as a crucial narrative thread, weaving together the complex tapestry of challenges and achievements in the relentless pursuit of sustainable practices amidst the intricate Nigerian oil landscape.