Shell shuts Trans Niger pipeline

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), a subsidiary of Anglo-Dutch oil giant, Shell, said it shut down the Trans Niger Pipeline on Monday because of a leak at Gio, in Ogoniland, Rivers State.

This is even as the Niger Delta militants late on Monday said they blew up an ExxonMobil facility in Akwa Ibom State.

Commenting on the shutdown of the Trans Niger Pipeline, SPDC spokesman, Precious Okolobo, said: “We are working towards a joint investigation visit into the cause of the leak, preparatory to repair of the line”.

However, Okolobo failed to disclose the volume of production shut-in, but the pipeline is estimated to transport 180,000 barrels per day of crude to the Bonny exports terminal.

Recall that the company last week lifted the force majeure on Bonny Light exports, which was declared on May 11after a leak was found on the Nembe line.

The shutdown of the Trans Niger Pipeline and the attack of the ExxonMobil Qua Iboe 48 crude oil export pipeline” are a blow to the nation’s oil output, which of recent has been on the decline due to attacks by Niger Delta militants.