The Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) has shut oil production from an oilfield at Agga community, Rivers, over pipeline leakage to forestall further damage to the environment.A statement by a Spokesman of Eni, Italian parent company of NAOC who preferred not to be named, confirmed the incident on Thursday.
“NAOC got a report of a leakage from a well flow line on 14th October 2019, in the southern part of Aggah territory, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“The leakage was primarily bubbling of gas and sheens of condensate.
“Following the report of the event, NAOC deployed containment booms around the leak spot and shut-in the well to stop the leak.
“Statutory notification was issued to DPR, NOSDRA and Rivers State ministry of Environment for Joint Investigation Visit before effecting the repair,” Eni stated.
Meanwhile, the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) said it was investigating the cause of a damaged pipeline and possible volume of leaked oil that had polluted communities in Rivers.
A NOSDRA official, who confirmed the development, said NAOC had reported the oil spill to the agency, saying that the area had been cordoned off to prevent further spread.
The leak is coming barely a month after fire broke out from NAOC’s field in nearby, Ubeta community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers.
NAOC had said that the fire incident was traced to the activities of oil thieves at the field.
