Fresh 63 illegal refineries uncovered in Niger Delta – NNPCL

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has revealed that it discovered and confiscated an additional 63 illegal refineries in the past week.

NNPCL disclosed this in a recent documentary on the fight against oil theft.

The NNPC stated that 63 illegal refineries were discovered and confiscated in Bayelsa, Rivers, Abia, Imo and Delta States.

The state-owned firm said from August 3 to 9 2024 alone, about 177 incidents of oil theft were recorded by security operatives, including Tantita Security Services and others.

The company noted that during the week under review, 19 illegal pipeline connections were recovered, while some underwent repairs across several locations in Bayelsa and River states.

Also, NNPCL added that a vandalized barricaded oil wellhead was discovered in Bayelsa State.

It was learned that stolen crude was discovered in oil reservoirs in Rivers State.

According to the firm, 17 vehicular arrests were made in communities in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.

It mentioned that 15 wooden boats conveying stolen crude were confiscated in Rivers and Bayelsa states.

The energy company disclosed that 51 of those incidents took place in the deep blue water, 21 in the western region, 29 in the central region, and 76 in the eastern region.

DAILY POST reports that in June, the company uncovered 165 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region.

This comes as Nigeria’s revenue is being depleted by losses from oil theft.

In July, the country recorded 1.3 million barrels per day of crude oil production, short of the 1.5 mbpd Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, quota.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari recently called on the military to sustain the war against crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

Daily Post