Delta Records 90% of 129,855 Litres of Oil Spilled in Niger Delta

The records show that Delta recorded seven of the nine incidents, while Bayelsa and Rivers states accounted for one incident each. The spills occurred between August 2 and September 17, with reported causes ranging from sabotage and oil theft to equipment failure, corrosion and operational errors.

The largest incident was recorded on August 26 at the W14T wellhead in Okpare-Olomu, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. The operator, ND Western, reported a spill estimated at 704.5 barrels, equivalent to about 112,016 litres of crude oil.

NOSDRA attributed the incident to operational or maintenance error, noting that the spill affected soil and vegetation within the company’s right of way. According to the records, about 70,000 litres were recovered, while approximately 42,000 litres remained unaccounted for in the reported figures.

Other significant incidents were recorded in Burutu, Warri South-West, Isoko South and Warri North local government areas.

On August 15, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited recorded a 1,590-litre spill from its six-inch North Bank flowline at Obotobo, Burutu LGA. The incident was attributed to suspected sabotage or oil theft and affected vegetation, soil and surface water both within and outside the company’s right of way.

NNPC Exploration & Production Limited also reported an equipment-related spill of 1,110 litres at Egwa Well 23 Tango in Egwa 2 community, Warri South-West LGA, on August 4. The affected area included swamp vegetation, fishing nets, surface water and aquatic life, with a joint investigation team reporting dead fish in the water.

In Isoko South LGA, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited recorded a spill of approximately 954 litres at its Olomoro Compressor Station on September 17. The incident, attributed to equipment failure, affected surface water and a fish pond.

Two smaller spills were reported at Yokri in Burutu LGA. A 159-litre discharge from Renaissance’s six-inch Yokri high-pressure bulkline on August 27 was attributed to sabotage or oil theft, while a separate 40-litre spill from a bulkline tie-in on September 2 was linked to corrosion. The incidents affected swamp vegetation, soil and, in the first case, surface water.

Chevron also recorded a spill of approximately one litre from its 9B-83 well flowline at Olero RMP 17 in Warri North LGA on August 22. NOSDRA attributed the incident to corrosion and reported an impact on surface water.

The concentration of spill incidents in Delta State highlights the continuing environmental risks facing oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta. Oil pollution can damage vegetation, contaminate water sources, disrupt fishing activities and threaten aquatic ecosystems, with consequences for the livelihoods of residents who depend on these resources.

The incidents recorded during the period underscore the need for effective pipeline maintenance, improved protection of oil infrastructure and timely response to spills to minimise environmental damage across the region.