NNPC Limited busts 83 illegal refineries in major crackdown
January 17, 2024306 views0 comments
Business a.m
In an ongoing effort to crack down on illegal activities and crude oil theft, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has uncovered 83 illegal refineries and 15 illegal pipeline connections in the Niger Delta region in the past week. The NNPCL announced the discoveries on its X handle, noting that the discoveries were made as part of its war on crude oil theft.
“In the past week, 15 illegal pipeline connections and 83 illegal refineries have been uncovered in the Niger Delta,” the NNPCL said.
In a video shared on the NNPCL’s X handle, the company outlined the extensive damage being caused by illegal activity in the Niger Delta region. The video outlined the number of incidents of oil theft and vandalism that occurred between January 6 and 12, 2023, a total of 211 incidents. In addition, the video highlighted the discovery of 15 illegal pipeline connections within the same time period. The documentary showed the widespread and devastating impact of these activities, which are causing significant economic damage to Nigeria and severely harming the environment.
In addition to the illegal refineries and pipeline connections, the NNPCL also inspected an illegal crude oil vessel loaded with thousands of metric tonnes of crude oil. According to the NNPCL,the vessel, was intercepted by Tantita Security Services, a private security firm, in collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, was loading directly from an offshore platform in Bayelsa State.”
The national oil company added that “all 23 crew members onboard the illegal vessel have been arrested.”