Economy

Niger Delta Pipeline: Shell Nigeria Makes Drastic Decision

Published

8 years ago

August 13, 2016

Due to a shut down of a Niger Delta pipeline, Shell’s Nigerian Unit has declared a force majeure for Bonny Light Crude Oil Lifting

Despite a resumption of cash payments to militants and government effort to dialogue peacefully, attacks throughout the Niger Delta have continued which has caused Shell to declare force majeure on some export streams.

Following a leak of some pipelines in Niger Delta, a statement made today, Friday, 12th of August, has it that Shell’s Nigerian unit has declared force majeure for Bonny Light Crude Oil Liftings.

Shell, in a statement said that: “SPDC declared force majeure on Bonny Light liftings effective 1000 hrs (Nigerian Time) today due to shutdown of the Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) by the pipeline operator, Aiteo, following a leak.”

A spokeswoman said Bonny Light exports were continuing via the Trans Niger Pipeline, which had reopened after being closed since early June.

Sources told Reuters the pipeline resumed pumping oil last week. Exports of 211,000 bpd were initially planned for August.

As a result of militant attacks on these oil pipelines, the country is missing more than 700,000 bpd of oil production.

In addition to the grades under force majeure, a trader and port source said others, such as Escravos, were flowing at reduced rates due to attacks on pipelines and other infrastructure.

As the country struggles with militant attacks that have disrupted its oil production and exports, its on record that Bonny Light is the fourth Nigerian oil grade under force majeure.

Others include the country’s largest export stream, Qua Iboe, Forcados and Brass River