63 illegal refineries seized in one week – NNPC

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has disclosed that another 63 illegal refineries were discovered and confiscated in the past week.

It was revealed in a documentary that the fight against oil theft was yielding results.

According to the NNPC, about 177 incidents were recorded between August 3 and 9 by different incident sources, like Tantita Security Services, four; Shell Petroleum Development Company, 11; Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, 26; Maton Engineering Company, 20; NNPC 18 Operating Ltd, one; NNPC Command and Control Centre, 51; and government security agencies, 64.

It noted that during the week under review, 19 illegal pipeline connections were recovered, while some underwent repairs across several locations in Bayelsa and River State

The NNPC stated that 63 illegal refineries were discovered and confiscated in Bayelsa, Rivers, Abia, Imo and Delta States.

It added that a vandalised barricaded oil wellhead was discovered in Bayelsa State.

It was learnt that stolen crude was discovered in oil reservoirs in Rivers State.

According to the state-owned firm, 17 vehicular arrests were made in communities in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.

It mentioned that 15 wooden boats conveying stolen crude were confiscated in Rivers and Bayelsa States.

The energy company disclosed that 51 of those incidents took place in the deep blue water, 21 in the western region, 29 in the central region, and 76 in the eastern region.

The NNPC stated that no fewer than 16 suspects had been arrested in connection with the incidents in the past week.

The PUNCH reports that crude oil theft has remained a major challenge in the upstream sector, inhibiting the country’s ability to ramp up production.

Recently, billionaire businessman, Tony Elumelu, remarked that the government and security agents in Nigeria should be able to tell Nigerians who steal the country’s crude oil, especially using vessels that move through the territorial waters.

He said the menace contributed to the divestment of international oil companies in Nigeria.

He said he discovered firsthand why international oil companies were partly divesting from onshore assets after criminal gangs began stealing crude from his pipelines.

Speaking with the Financial Times, Elumelu mentioned that oil thieves still take away 18 per cent of crude from his field.

He explained, “42,000 barrels of crude are pumped out daily. Theft still takes away about 18 per cent of production.

“This is oil theft; we are not talking about stealing a bottle of Coke that you can put in your pocket. The government should know; they should tell us.

“Look at America — Donald Trump was shot at and quickly they knew the background of who shot him. Our security agencies should tell us who is stealing our oil. You bring vessels to our territorial waters and we don’t know?”