Major oil companies, especially Anglo-Dutch oil firm, Shell Petroleum
Development Company (SPDC)and its American counterpart, Chevron Nigeria
Limited (CNL), outputs have been reduced to 50 per cent,
Pointblanknews.com can authoritatively reveal.
This is as a result of the incessant bombing of their facilities by
militants in the Niger Delta region.
Among the facilities destroyed by the militants belonging to the two firms
are: Forcados Terminal subsea crude export pipeline, Well D25 Valve
Platform, Ogan Fspo, Makaraba line among others.
The group has also threatened to target their offshore platforms,
including Bonga Fpso, EA field and their tank farms such as Bonny tank
farm, Escravos tank farm and Forcados tank farm.
The shadowy group is alleged to be operating from the Gbaramatu axis of
Delta State.
Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Council Area of Delta State is home
to ex-warlord, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tomplo, who is
wanted over allegations of financial enrichment.
Security reports have linked the embattled ex-militant leader to being the
chief sponsor of the group which has embarked on deadly attacks since he
was declared wanted by the government.
Responding to the operation of The Shell Petroleum Development Company of
Nigeria Ltd (SPDC), its spokesperson, Joseph Obari said: “We continue to
monitor the security situation in our operating areas in the Niger Delta
and are taking all possible steps to ensure the safety of staff and
contractors. We do not wish to go into details. Our operations are
continuing.”
On the damaged Forcados Terminal subsea crude export pipeline, he said:
‘’SPDC is intensifying efforts on spill containment and spilled oil
recovery on the February 14 2016 spill, while also finalizing repair plans
pending the conclusion of the ongoing Joint Investigation Visit into the
cause and impact of the spill.’’
He was however silent on the actual production quota of the company since
the key export line was hit by the militants.
For his part, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs
(PGPA)Chevron Nigeria Limited, Deji Haastrup, said tersely : ‘’ We are
not commenting on this at this time. Suffice to say that our number one
priority is the safety of people and the protection of the environment and
physical assets.’’