Nigeria records 240 incidences of crude oil theft in one week — NNPCL

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has disclosed that Nigeria recorded a total of 240 crude oil theft incidents in one week.

It said between the 15th and 21st of July 2023, the incidents were recorded at various parts of the Niger Delta.

The company made the disclosure via its Twitter handle where it gave a breakdown of its record on its war against crude oil theft.

In a breakdown, it said out of the total incidents, 69 illegal refineries were discovered and destroyed in Uppata and Abua communities in Rivers State.

Also, it said 27 cases of pipeline vandalism cases were also recorded and repaired while 30 wooden boats used to convey stolen crude were confiscated in the past week.

It added that: “13 automatic identification system infractions were flagged using NNPC’s maritime intelligence system and has been escalated to the navy through NNPCL’S incidence management and reporting application. While two illegal vessels were arrested and five cases of oil spills were recorded.

“13 of these incidences were recorded in the deep blue water. 41 of these incidences were recorded in the western region of the Niger- Delta. 169 recorded in the central region while 17 took place in the Eastern part of the Niger Delta oil-producing region.”

The NNPCL had earlier in July announced that a private security contractor it engaged intercepted an 800,000-liter capacity vessel with stolen crude oil.

The Vessel, MT TURA II (IMO number: 6620462), owned by a Nigerian Registered Company, HOLAB MARITIME SERVICES LIMITED with Registration Number RC813311, was said to be heading to Cameroun with the Cargo when it was apprehended.

It said preliminary investigations revealed that the crude oil cargo onboard was illegally sourced from a well jacket offshore Ondo State, Nigeria.

However, the company stressed that it would not back out in its war against crude oil theft until the menace is eradicated.

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