08 May 2012, Sweetcrude, LAGOS – Royal Dutch Shell says it has found two fresh onshore oil pipeline leaks in Nigeria’s Delta region on Monday, three days after the company declared force majeure on exports of the high grade Bonny Light crude due to outages caused by oil theft.
“Two new leaks were reported on May 7 on the trans-Niger pipeline at Akpajo and K-Dere in Ogoniland after a similar number of leaks caused by hacksaw cuts were repaired at the weekend,” Shell spokesman Precious Okolo said on Tuesday.
“A joint investigation team will determine the cause and extent of the leaks preparatory to repair work.”
An amnesty in 2009 sharply reduced militancy in the onshore swamps and waterways of the Niger Delta but criminal gangs tapping oil pipelines and bunkering – large scale organised theft – is still a major problem.
Reuters reported that Shell no longer operates in Ogoniland after lengthy disputes with local Nigerians about pollution. It still has pipelines and other infrastructure there and said it is committed to clearing up spills, whatever the cause.
