NNPC Uncovers 122 Illegal Refineries in Renewed Drive Against Oil Theft
Fuel Station Sealed for Selling Illegally Refined Product
In a robust effort to combat oil theft, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has uncovered 122 illegal oil refining sites across the Niger Delta region in the past week. Additionally, a fuel station in Akwa Ibom State was sealed for selling illegally refined fuel to motorists.
According to a documentary released by NNPC on Tuesday, 65 illegal pipeline connections were identified and removed in Rivers and other states within the oil-rich Niger Delta during the past week. The NNPC detailed its efforts in tackling oil theft and vandalism, revealing that 310 incidents were recorded between May 18 and 24 across the region.
The 122 illegal refineries were found operating in areas including Tomble II, III, IV, and Umuajuloke in Rivers State, as well as Oporomor III, Eduwini, and Ajatiton in Bayelsa State. Vandalized wellheads were discovered in Tomble IV, Rivers, and Egbema in Imo State. Furthermore, a pit filled with crude oil from a vandalized wellhead was also uncovered. Five illegal storage sites, where oil was stored in sacks, pits, and cans, including a filling station, were identified.
In addition to the discoveries, 20 vehicles, including a tanker, were seized in Delta and Imo states. Authorities also confiscated 29 boats transporting crude oil or illegally refined products across several creeks in Bayelsa and Delta states. A total of 33 suspects have been arrested in connection with these incidents.
NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, emphasized the critical need to address insecurity in the oil and gas sector to increase production. Kyari highlighted the detrimental impact of oil theft and vandalism on the nation’s crude oil production.
“How do you increase oil production? Remove the security challenge we have in our onshore assets. As we all know, the security challenge is real. It is not just about theft; it is about the availability of the infrastructure to deliver the volume to the market,” Kyari stated. He noted that no investor would be willing to invest in oil production if there is uncertainty about the product reaching the market.
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Kyari further revealed the scale of the issue, stating, “Within the last two years, we removed over 5,800 illegal connections from our pipelines. We took down over 6,000 illegal refineries. You simply cannot get people to put money until you solve that problem.”
The NNPC’s intensified crackdown on illegal refining activities and its ongoing efforts to secure the oil and gas infrastructure are crucial steps toward stabilizing and enhancing Nigeria’s oil production capabilities.
