Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO), operator of the NNPC / Aiteo Joint Venture on OML 29, is investigating a crude loading mishap at its Oil Mineral Licence, OML 29, Nembe in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, June 17, 2024, at AEEPCO’s Nembe swamp facility during routine operations, prompted the activation of their Oil Spill and Emergency Response Team. Production from OML 29 has been temporarily halted as a precautionary measure to mitigate the effects of the leak.
Victor Okoronkwo, AEEPCO’s Group Managing Director, emphasized the company’s proactive response, stating, “A Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) with stakeholders has been initiated to determine the cause of this incident. Our immediate focus is on efficient spill management in compliance with regulatory standards, as well as collaborating with all stakeholders to restore production and minimize associated risks.”
The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has been informed and has deployed officials to the spill site in Yenagoa to assess the environmental impact and ascertain the volume of crude oil discharged.
Aiteo has faced challenges with its Nembe Creek Trunkline (NCTL) in the past, leading to the adoption of alternative crude evacuation methods such as barges. The operational mishap reportedly resulted in the discharge of Nembe Crude blend into the Atlantic Ocean and neighboring creeks, underscoring ongoing environmental concerns.
The JIV scheduled for Wednesday aims to provide further details on the incident, including the affected area and cleanup efforts.
