YENAGOA, Nigeria – Oando Plc, a major Nigerian oil and gas producer, is battling a spate of sabotage attacks that struck three of its critical pipelines in Bayelsa State over the past week.
The targeted infrastructure includes the 18-inch Tepidaba-Brass crude oil pipeline and the 24-inch Ogboinbiri/Obiobi gas pipeline, located in Brass and Southern Ijaw respectively. Oando, which recently acquired Nigerian Agip Oil Co from Eni, confirmed the attacks late Friday and has since activated a swift emergency response.
“We have mobilized leak repair teams to the affected areas and are working with authorities to determine the full extent and cause of the damage,” the company stated.
This development further amplifies concerns over the persistent threat of pipeline sabotage and crude theft—a primary factor behind the retreat of international oil majors like Shell, ExxonMobil, and Total from Nigeria’s onshore assets.
Full repairs are set to commence once a joint investigation visit is completed. Oando has vowed to restore operations “as quickly as possible.”
Source: Reuters
