A fresh oil spill has been reported at TotalEnegies operated Egina field on November 15, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency said on Wednesday.
A statement by NIMASA’s spokesperson, Osagie Edward, said the situation was being closely monitored and work was in progress to contain the oil spill that occurred during loading operations.
According to him, the Agency was collaborating with the spill detention agency and the oil industry regulator to contain the spill, though the volume was not yet confirmed.
Edward noted that the spill impact was minimal and production at the 200,000 barrel-per-day capacity oilfield was not affected.
He added that the company was working with local authorities to clear the resident sheen from the incident.
Oil spills have blighted Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger River delta region for decades, causing widespread environmental damage and negatively impacting the lives of millions of people in the local communities.
NIMASA said TotalEnergies was providing aerial surveillance and applying dispersant while considering further action to clean up the spill.
“Since the incident happened, our men have been liaising with other organs of government to ensure the pollution is effectively controlled and managed, to protect the marine environment and the communities close to the incident point,” NIMASA boss, Bashir Jamoh, disclosed.
So far, a reconnaissance survey of neighbouring areas showed that coastal communities across Andoni, Qua-Iboe terminals, Bonny Island, Opobo/Nkoro, and Eastern Obolo had not yet been impacted by the spill.
Oil majors operating in Nigeria, Africa’s top crude producer, have faced a string of litigation in the past over spills.
When contacted; the spokesperson for TotalEnergies, Charles Ebereoun, confirmed the leak. He however said it was being treated.
“This is not massive leak and the sheen has been treated with the appropriate response that resulted in a reduction of most of it. No shoreline or communities have been impacted,” he said
