Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Explosions resulting in raging fire have rocked two oil wells, Akaso Well14 and 4T Wellheads operated by Eroton Exploration and Production Limited in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Although the cause of the fire incident was yet to be ascertained, but locals say the fire became noticeable in the early hours of yesterday.
Confirming the incident, the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency, explained that the agency has received a report of a fire incident at the two oil wells operated by Eroton.
Director-General of NOSDRA, Mr Idris Musa, said following the report of the incident to the Agency, officials of Eroton NOSDRA and oil firm’s Emergency Response Team have been immediately mobilised to the site.
Musa said the fire was ongoing although Eroton has mobilised a contractor to put out the fire.
He said that a situation room has been created by Eroton for effective communication with all relevant stakeholders.
According to him, NOSDRA has directed the company to give a two-hourly update on the incident.
“The company has mobilised a vendor, which is expected to arrive the incident location today, October 4, 2022, to extinguish the raging fire from the Wells; the Agency will supervise the activity accordingly.
“An illegal boat was observed at the location, which was suspected to be engaged in oil theft. The boat has been completely razed before the fire on the boat has been extinguished.
“The two Wells are however, still on fire until the vendor arrives to extinguish it,” Musa said.
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