NNPC reports 136 incidents of crude oil theft

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) has disclosed a concerning surge in crude oil theft incidents, totalling 136 cases between March 16th and 22nd, 2024.

This revelation emerged during the recent airing of “Energy and You” on NTA, shedding light on the pervasive issue plaguing the country’s oil-rich Niger Delta region.

The incidents, as detailed by Tanita Security Services, encompassed a spectrum of unauthorized activities, including 37 instances of unauthorized connections, 26 cases of pipeline tampering, and the discovery of 29 illegal refineries.

Rivers State emerged as the epicentre of these nefarious activities, with a concentration of incidents reported across various sites within the state.

Notably, law enforcement efforts led to the dismantling of 37 illegal connections across Rivers, Bayelsa, and Abia states.

Additionally, a crackdown on illicit refining operations revealed 29 such facilities scattered throughout the Niger Delta, with heightened prevalence in Abia, Imo, and Rivers states.

In Bayelsa, surveillance footage captured a disturbing scene of an individual siphoning crude oil from an unauthorized pit, resulting in oil spills and further environmental degradation.

The enforcement efforts also targeted maritime infractions, with 13 vessels flagged for non-compliance with the Automatic Identification System (AIS) in Rivers and Delta states.

Concurrently, wooden boats ferrying stolen crude oil were intercepted, underscoring the magnitude of the illicit trade.

Furthermore, law enforcement seized 12 vehicles engaged in the transportation of stolen crude oil across multiple states, including Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Delta, and Abia.

Incidents were geographically clustered, with the Central Niger Delta region bearing the brunt of 70 reported cases, followed by the Eastern Niger Delta (38), Western Niger Delta (15), and deep blue water regions (13).

Crude oil theft remains a pressing concern for Nigeria, contributing to diminished state revenues, environmental degradation, and deterrence of investments by International Oil Companies (IOCs).

The National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President highlighted the alarming daily loss of approximately 400,000 barrels of crude oil during a recent visit to oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta.