At last, Aiteo stops oil leakage at Bayelsa wellhead

Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja

At last, Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO) has successfully shut down the leak at OML 29 Wellhead in the Santa Barbara South field in Nembe in Bayelsa State.

Aiteo in a statement by its Group Managing Director, Victor Okoronkwo, said the well flow has been “shut-in,” adding that it is also, among other things, preparing to clean up the wellhead platform and surroundings.

He stated that they successfully closed both control packages and shut-in well flow, adding that the team is currently preparing to pump ‘kill fluid’ into the long string.

“To the glory of God, we have put out the leak at SBAS-1. We are grateful for all the support. We have successfully installed control packages on both arms,” a statement from Aiteo informed.

“There’s a rig up pump on the long string, and the pump opens the ball valve. Also, we have closed both control packages and shut-in well flow.

The team is currently preparing to pump ‘kill fluid’ into the long string. Note that the short string is already killed and dead with zero pressure.

“Complete pumping of kill fluid into the long string (LS). Achieve zero psi on surface and rig down pump as well as rig up wireline.

“We will then nipple down the Christmas Tree and carry out comprehensive service on the wellhead and Christmas Tree as well as install it and secure the well. Thereafter, we will clean-up the wellhead platform and surroundings.

“The clean-up efforts that were being concurrently executed throughout this period to limit the spread of hydrocarbon will now be comprehensively escalated. To this end, concerted efforts will further be channeled immediately into increasing remediation measures.

“In prosecuting these remediation activities and in aligning with Aiteo E&P’s strategic priorities to ensure uninterrupted continuation of the living conditions and wellbeing of the communities remains the paramount consideration.

“This successful milestone is a remarkable testament to the capabilities that exist within indigenous players when faced with incidents of such magnitude, even when unanticipated.

“Although indigenous participation in the Upstream space is nascent, the efforts evident in the management of this incident, especially the remarkable Aiteo E&P HSE Policy, foretells the progress that has been made in building, growing, and elevating both expertise and technical capabilities by indigenous oil companies such as ours.

“The professionalism with which the technical and support personnel execute this significant operation cannot be overemphasised, especially, considering the challenging operating terrain”, the statement read in part.

Aiteo had on Friday, November 5, 2021 reported an oil spill from a non-producing well head in its Santa Barbara South field, in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

It said that the magnitude of the incident is of an extremely high order.

According to the company, neither the cause of the spill, nor the quantity of leaked hydrocarbon could be determined at the time of the discovery, though containment booms were deployed and recovery commenced immediately around the well head.