OpeOluwani Akintayo
22 November 2018, Sweetcrude, Lagos — The Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, says it is not sure when its ruptured Trans Ramos Pipeline, TNP, will recommence operation.
The pipeline, which ruptured on May 17, spilled as much as about 1,114 barrels of crude oil into the environment, SweetcrudeReports’ statistical survey has shown.
The oil leak had impacted and polluted an estimated area of 113.03 hectares, it was gathered.
A Joint Investigation Visit, JIV, report of the incident obtained by this newspaper, said equipment failure had caused leaks at three spots in the pipeline, impacting areas in Aghoro 1 and 2- Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa and Odumodu community in Delta state.
Although more than 95 percent of oil spilled at the pipeline have been recovered, the pipeline which supplies crude to SPDC’s Forcados Oil Export Terminal, near Warri, Delta State, remained shut-in since the incident.
“The Trans Ramos Pipeline has been repaired and is undergoing extensive testing prior to restart. We cannot give precise timing yet for restart of the line as it depends on the outcome of the testing.
“Statutory post-JIV activities are ongoing, which include site assessment, remediation, and payment of compensation to people and communities impacted by the spills,” Shell’s spokesperson, Mr. Bamidele Odugbesan, said.
