A fire incident was reported on the Akaso Well 4, operated by NNPC 18 Operating Limited, late on the night of August 2, 2024. The blaze, which started at approximately 11:12 PM, has extended to the adjacent riverbank.
According to the NNPC 18 Operating Limited has mobilized a rapid response team to secure the well, address the fire, and contain the spill to prevent further environmental contamination. Plans are in place to initiate the oil recovery process immediately.
The report disclosed that A Naval Houseboat has been deployed to the incident area, and community surveillance has been established to monitor the situation. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and a joint investigation with relevant stakeholders is being organized to determine the origin and impact of the incident.
It is noteworthy that Akaso Well 4 has been non-operational for an extended period. Meanwhile, efforts to extinguish a fire at the company’s Alakiri Well 9T, which ignited on February 23, 2024, are still ongoing. Kenyon International West Africa Company, the contractor assigned to handle the situation, has faced challenges in quelling the blaze.
“Plans are now underway to switch from the heat extraction method to the total oxygen extraction method to extinguish the fire. The equipment required for this new approach is fully fabricated, and the contractor is awaiting mobilization from the well owners. Contractor personnel remain on-site to monitor the incident.
A meeting with the management of NNPC 18 Operating Limited is scheduled to review the safety and integrity of its operations.
