Aiteo shuts OML 29 in Bayelsa over oil leak

Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO), operators of the NNPC/Aiteo Joint Venture, has shut down the Oil Mining Licence (OML 29) over an oil leak it detected at its Nembe swamp facility in Bayelsa State. Aiteo’s Group Manaaging Director, Victor Okoronkwo, who confirmed the leak in a statement on Wednesday, said the oil leak […]

Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO), operators of the NNPC/Aiteo Joint Venture, has shut down the Oil Mining Licence (OML 29) over an oil leak it detected at its Nembe swamp facility in Bayelsa State.

Aiteo’s Group Manaaging Director, Victor Okoronkwo, who confirmed the leak in a statement on Wednesday, said the oil leak was reported on Monday, June 17, 2024 during routine operations.

He said the company’s oil spill and emergency response team was immediately activated and all production from OML 29 shut down.

He said: “This is a precautionary measure while mobilising additional resources to contain the spill. The cause of the spill is currently undetermined. However, we are proactively engaging with stakeholders to mitigate the immediate effects.

He said the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) – have been notified of the incident.

The head of NOSDRA’s field office in Yenagoa, Mr Solomon Ukponevi, explained that the agency had deployed its officials to the spill site to ascertain the cause and volume of crude oil discharged into  the environment.