Nembe— Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO), operator of the NNPC /Aiteo Joint Venture on OML 29 says it has begun repair on the leaking Santa Babara South Well 01 in Nembe local government area of Bayelsa state.
In a statement released on Monday, the company explained that the magnitude of the incident was of an extremely high order.
The statement noted that the cause of the spill nor the quantity of spilled hydrocarbon could be determined at the time of the discovery.
The company stated that containment booms were deployed and recovery efforts have commenced around the well head.
The statement reads in part:
”As an incident of this nature imports, the necessary Oil Spill Notification Report have been promptly communicated to National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission(NUPRC) and National Petroleum Investment Services(NAPIMS) as is required by regulation.
“Ultimately, a Joint Investigative Visit, JIV to the spill site was held by all relevant stakeholders, community inclusive.
“The JIV at the time, was inconclusive, owing to difficulties with access due to high pressure of hydrocarbons from the well head.
“Additionally, immediate efforts to control the leak were aborted due to the high pressure emanating from the well head.
“Consequently, Aiteo has mobilized a full intervention team with well control specialists and equipment both locally and internationally to arrest the leak.
“The JIV team commended Aiteo for its prompt emergency response and handling of the incident. Further investigations on the cause of the mishap are being undertaken and will be progressed after the well has been shut in. Preliminary indications suggest that crude oil theft leaks and sabotage cannot be ruled out.”
It will be recalled that mangrovepen.ng reported an oil spill from a non-producing well head at the Juju point area, Santa Barbara river in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Notable individuals, local and foreign environmental rights groups have also condemned the spill.
