Vandals hit Agip’s gas pipeline, disrupt gas supply to NLNG

Solomon Ezeme

Pipeline vandals have struck at another gas pipeline (Ogboinbiri/OB-OB gas pipeline) operated by Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) thereby disrupting supply of gas to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) gathering and processing plant.

This was confirmed in a statement by Idris Musa, Director-General of National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state on Thursday.

This recent attack happened barely a week after a gas pipeline was hit by vandals .

The NOSDRA DG stated that the leak which occurred on Wednesday, has affected the supply of natural gas feed by the oil company to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) gathering and processing plant.

He explained that the leak occurred after the previously vandalized pipeline was destroyed again by vandals after repairs, leading to a fire incident around the Okaka and Azikoro communities in the Yenagoa Local Government Area.

Musa noted that Agip had swept into action to decompress the pipeline and is presently working on its repairs.

He said, “There was a gas leak last week from a vandalised OB-OB/Ogboinbiri gas pipeline at Okaka in Bayelsa State.

“The pipeline was repaired but unfortunately re-vandalised again, resulting in a fire. The NAOC is working actively to depressurize the pipeline in order to effect repairs on the pipeline.”

EnergyDay’s check showed that NOSDRA had lamented about the recurrence of oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the area, describing the situation as ‘sabotage’ and calling on operators to reinforce surveillance around their facilities.

After its Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) on the 6″ Nembe-Obama Pipeline at Sabatoru, Nembe LGA, Bayelsa State, last week by the agency, it was revealed that there had been three cases of vandalism in the area which were not unconnected with sabotage.

“The incident occurred proximal to an artisanal refining site, which operators are suspected to have vandalised the pipeline to steal crude oil.

“Similarly, there was another vandalised pipeline on the 20” Kolo Creek-Rumuekpe pipeline at Otuasega also in Bayelsa State. There was no oil spill in that instance.

“A gas pipeline was also vandalised on the 24” Ogboinbiri/OB-OB gas delivery line at Okaka, behind Bayelsa Palm Estate in Yenagoa,” Musa had said.