×

Shell shuts Bomu–Bonny pipeline over fire caused by crude oil thieves

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has shut the 28-inch Bomu –Bonny Trunk line after discovering a fire on it early Sunday morning. … Continue reading Shell shuts Bomu–Bonny pipeline over fire caused by crude oil thieves


The raging inferno is assumed to have been caused by a burning vessel which is alleged to have vandalised the trunk line to steal crude oil.

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has shut the 28-inch Bomu –Bonny Trunk line after discovering a fire on it early Sunday morning.

The raging inferno is assumed to have been caused by a burning vessel which is alleged to have vandalised the trunk line to steal crude oil.

The raging inferno is assumed to have been caused by a burning vessel which is alleged to have vandalised the trunk line to steal crude oil.

A statement signed by Shell’s Corporate Media Relations Manager, Tony Okonedo, alleged that “a burning vessel, thought to be involved in the theft of crude oil from the line, was sighted near the incident site, close to Okololunch community in the Eastern Niger Delta.”

According to the oil giant, the Bomu–Bonny Trunk line conveys crude oil to Bonny Terminal and some 150,000 barrels of oil per day is deferred due to the incident.

The Bomu – Bonny trunk line is part of the Trans Niger Pipeline, “which itself has been repeatedly targeted by crude thieves” the statement added.

The burning vessel seen in the picture is currently engulfed in raging flames and thick smoke.

Shell’s Vice President for Health, Safety, Environment and Corporate Affairs, Sub-Saharan Africa, Tony Attah, stated that “this incident clearly demonstrates the scale of the oil theft problem which, alongside the hundreds of illegal refineries in the Delta, is having such a profound effect on the people, communities and the environment.”

Lamenting the unabated level of oil theft in the creeks of the Niger Delta and the resultant devastation to the environment, Mr Attah warned that “until these activities are brought to a halt there will be no improvement in the environmental situation”

The statement claimed SPDC is “mobilising to fight the fire, investigate the cause and carry out repairs.”

“Last year, sabotage and crude oil theft were also the cause of 11,806 barrels spilled from SPDC facilities in 118 incidents.”