Shell’s Kolo Creek-Rumuekpe Pipeline Spilled 306 Barrels of Crude – JIV Report

From: Arodiegwu Eziukwu, Yenogoa.

Shell’s Kolo Creek-Rumuekpe pipeline spilled 306 barrels of crude- JIV Report

A breach on a 20 inch crude delivery pipeline from Kolo Creek fields in to Rumuekpe in Rivers has discharged some 306 barrels of crude into the swamps.

According to a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) report, the spill had impacted a total area of 3.61 hectares beyond the oil firm’s right of way.

Residents of Oruma-Yibama community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa had raised alarm over the non commencement of clean up of an oil spill site more than a month afterwards. The community reported inflow of crude oil from Shell oil fields located in Odau in Rivers on June 2, 2015.

The JIV report also indicated that the oil leak was caused by activities of oil thieves who had breached the pipeline and connected a pipe to siphon crude.

The report stated that the investigation team suspected that the vandals had malicious intention and channelled the crude oil leaking from the pipeline to aid its spread to wider areas.

It was further gathered that representatives of Shell, community, National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency conducted the joint investigation on June 24 and 25.

Mr Joseph Obari, a Spokesman for Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) was yet to provide a response on delays in commencing oil recovery and clean up of the impacted areas.