Eni lifts force majeure on gas export feed to NLNG facility
Oredola Adeola
After ten days of declaring force majeure on gas exports feed to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) facility in Bonny l , due to attack on 24’ Ogbainbiri to Obiafu/Obrikom Gas pipeline Okaka in Bayelsa State, Eni, the Italian oil company operating in Nigeria, said it has resumed operation on the facility.
This was revealed in a statement released by the Italian oil company, the parent company of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), on Friday.
According to the company, the force majeure was lifted after the particular vandalised gas pipeline was repaired, adding that operations had been fully restored this week.
This development has therefore restored gas export feed from the Eni’s facility to the NLNG by 5 million Standard Cubic Meters per day (MMSCM/d).
EnergyDay had on April 6, 2022 reported that Eni’s declared the force majeure after the Ogboinbiri to Obiafu/Obrikom gas line operated by local unit Nigerian Agip Oil Company(NAOC) was damaged by a hacksaw cut used by vandals.
The IOC in a statement revealed that the disruptions to oil and gas production are common in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, where pipelines are often vandalised and crude stolen for illegal refining.
The company stated that it shut in all gas wells that feed the line to douse pressure and pave the way for repairs which were completed on April 8.
The company said, “A gas leak incident due to third-party interference occurred on 5th April along 24’ Ogbainbiri to Obiafu/Obrikom Gas pipeline at Okaka in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
“The relevant government regulatory agencies and the community were promptly notified. A joint investigation visit confirmed sabotage.
“Force majeure was lifted at Bonny NLNG on April 13, after it was repaired on April 8,” Eni said in the statement.
Mr Idris Musa, Director-General and Chief Executive of National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency said investigations by the agency traced the two leak incidents to sabotage by vandals.
