November 7, 2024
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OIL & GAS

In One Week, Nigeria Records 205 Oil Theft

There were no less than 205 crude oil theft incidents recorded across the Niger Delta’s oil-producing regions between October 7 and 13, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) confirmed.  

The company disclosed this information during its weekly ‘Energy and You’ series on the NTA News Network, according to Nairametrics.

There were various illegal activities reported, including 62 illegal connections, 51 illegal refineries, 18 vessels with AIS infractions, 8 wooden boat arrests, 6 pipeline vandalism acts, 55 vehicle arrests, 2 illegal storage sites, 1 oil spill, and 1 vessel arrest. 

Crude oil theft is significantly affecting Nigeria’s crude oil and gas production, leading to an inability to meet the OPEC quota of 1.7 million barrels per day causing a notable dent in the country’s revenues. Additionally, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited is struggling to fulfil feedgas supply requirements for its production and expansion plans.  

In response to this crisis, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) initiated a strategy in 2022 to combat crude oil theft. The strategy involves collaboration with security agencies, operators, and oil-producing communities.

Despite these efforts, the situation continues to worsen, evident in the rising number of crude oil theft incidents.  

In the week between September 30 and October 6, there were 128 reported incidents, and this number has now surged to 240 incidents, the report says.

Earlier this week, ex-militants met in Rivers state over strategies for implementing pipeline surveillance contracts with the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in the region.

Although many conversations took place in private, it is widely believed that combating crude oil theft was a significant topic. 

The Nigerian Senate said the country has lost over N2 trillion to crude oil theft in 2023 alone and is currently investigating the menace in the Niger Delta region. 

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