17 August 2016, Sweetcrude, Lagos – Repair work on ExxonMobil’s main export pipeline damaged in July allegedly by Niger Delta militants will take up to two months.
The Niger Delta Avengers had claimed responsibility for the damage on the pipeline but ExxonMobil denied militants’ involvement.
Sources said the company later found substantial damage that would take at least one to two months to repair, prompting, according to Reuters, move by the company to find an alternative export line.
The Qua Iboe crude oil, exported through the damaged pipeline, has been under force majeure since mid-July when the incident occurred.
Nigeria’s oil production has been hobbled by militant action since the beginning of the year, with state oil company NNPC saying pipeline attacks have taken out some 700,000 barrels per day, bpd, from production that is typically just above 2 million bpd.
