Renaissance Africa Energy has abruptly suspended crude oil transportation through its critical Okordia-Rumuekpe pipeline following a significant oil spill detected Monday in Rivers State, Nigeria. The pipeline—a vital artery carrying crude to the Bonny export terminal—was shut down after local environmental monitors raised the alarm.
The incident, first reported by the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), occurred in the Ikata community of Ahoada East Local Government Area. Renaissance, which recently acquired Shell’s former onshore operations in the region, confirmed it had ceased injecting crude into the pipeline and initiated immediate environmental protection measures.
While the company has not yet disclosed the cause or extent of the contamination, YEAC-Nigeria’s Executive Director, Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, told Reuters that volunteers who investigated the site discovered evidence of deliberate tampering, including signs of digging around the pipeline infrastructure.
The shutdown adds to ongoing disruptions in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta, where pipeline sabotage and oil theft have plagued production for years. Renaissance stated it is working with government regulators and community leaders to conduct a joint investigation at the spill site.
The incident highlights the persistent environmental and security challenges facing oil operations in the region, where local communities continue to suffer from widespread pollution affecting water sources and agricultural lands.
Source: businessday.ng
