Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, SPDC, says it has commenced the containment and recovery of leaked crude from its 8โ pipeline between Agbada FS and Nkpoku Manifold.
Recall that oil spill from the said manifold operated by SPDC, on Wednesday rocked Rukpokwu community in Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State; a development which the State Government has expressed concerns.
Speaking, the Media Relations Manager, SPDC, Bamidele Odugbesan, explained that the pipeline was shut down, isolated and depressurized, to stop the flow of crude oil into it, immediately the leak was reported.
Odugbesan also said that the company has also commenced the statutory government-led JIV examination of the site, to determine the cause and impact of the leak.
He further disclosed that the site has been secured for safety.
“On Wednesday, November 4, 2020, the Shell Petroleum Development Company Joint Venture received report of a leaking 8โ pipeline between Agbada FS and Nkpoku Manifold.
“We immediately activated the Emergency and Spill Response Teams and the pipeline was shut down, isolated and depressurized same day, to stop the flow of crude oil into it.
“We also secured the site for safety. Same day (Wednesday, November 4, 2020), we commenced the containment and recovery of leaked crude and commenced the statutory government-led Joint Investigation Team examination of the site to determine the cause and impact of the leak.
“The JIV and recovery of leaked crude are expected to be completed within the next one or two days.
“Whenever a leak is reported at any facility of SPDC Joint Venture, the immediate interest of SPDC as the operator is to isolate the injecting facility, stop the leak, conduct the statutory JIV, and clean up the spill.
“Where required, we begin immediate remediation in order to return the area to a pristine state,” SPDC said.