Aiteo Temporarily Shuts Down Nembe Field Due to Oil Spill
Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO), an indigenous oil firm, has announced the temporary shutdown of production at its Nembe field following an oil spill incident. The spill, which was confirmed on Monday, June 17, 2024, has prompted immediate action from the company.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, June 18, 2024, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Aiteo spokesperson Ndiana Matthew confirmed the oil leak from the company’s facility. “Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO), operator of the NNPC/Aiteo Joint Venture on OML 29, confirms it has detected an oil leak at its Nembe swamp facility in OML 29, Nembe Kingdom, Bayelsa State,” the statement read.
The leak was detected during routine operations, leading to the immediate activation of AEEPCO’s Oil Spill and Emergency Response Team. As a precautionary measure, all production from OML 29 has been halted while additional resources are mobilized to contain the spill. The cause of the spill is currently unknown, but AEEPCO is actively engaging with stakeholders to mitigate the immediate effects.
AEEPCO’s Group Managing Director, Victor Okoronkwo, commented on the incident: “During our operations on Monday, June 17, 2024, the leak was detected. A Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) with stakeholders has been initiated to determine the cause of this incident. While we regret the production losses to the Joint Venture and the nation and the potential environmental impact, our current priority is to expedite an efficient spill management process in line with regulatory standards and collaborate with all stakeholders to restore production and mitigate associated risks.”
The company has notified its joint venture partners and relevant regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), about the incident.
Aiteo’s prompt response aims to address the spill’s immediate impact and ensure a swift resolution in collaboration with all involved parties. The company is committed to adhering to regulatory standards and minimizing environmental damage while working towards resuming production as soon as possible.
*Source: Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO)*
