Lagos — Aiteo Eastern E & P Company Limited (“Aiteo E&P”) has finally brought the impaired Santa Barbara South Well 01 in its’ OML 29 production area under control, stopped the free flow of crude oil and gas and secured the well.
In a statement signed by Victor Okoronkwo, the Group Managing Director, Aiteo E and P disclosed that this outcome was
achieved against the backdrop of very challenging circumstances exacerbated by the weather.
“The tidal cycle in the creek, and the silted slot of the Well resulted in reduced effective working hours. These challenges impacted on the timeline of the operation.
“With this successful operation, we can now confirm that there is no more leakage from the Well. It is remarkable
that even with the dangers of the high exposure and risk, the entire operation has been executed and delivered
with zero incident and zero fatality.
“The clean-up efforts that were being concurrently executed throughout this period to limit the spread of
hydrocarbon will now be comprehensively escalated. To this end, concerted efforts will further be channeled
immediately into increasing remediation measures. In prosecuting these remediation activities and in aligning
with Aiteo E&P’s strategic priorities to ensure uninterrupted continuation of the living conditions and wellbeing
of the communities remains the paramount consideration.
Mr. Okoronkwo noted that this successful milestone is a remarkable testament to the capabilities that exist within indigenous players when faced with incidents of such magnitude, even when unanticipated.
He said that although indigenous participation in the Upstream space is nascent, the efforts evident in the management of this incident, especially the remarkable Aiteo E&P HSE Policy, foretells the progress that has been made in building, growing, and elevating both expertise and technical capabilities by indigenous oil companies.