Agip cuts gas export by 5 MMSCM/d declares ‘Force Majeure’ on its gas export feed

Italian parent company to Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Eni  has said the damage inflicted on its 24 inch gas line at Okaka in Yenagoa has temporarily crippled its gas export. The company said it has declared a ‘Force Majeure’ on its gas export feed to the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) in Bonny. According to a statement by Eni, the incident on the gas pipeline operated by its Nigerian unit, NAOC cut gas export feed to NLNG by 5 Million Standard Cubic Metre per day (MMSCM/d).

The facility, which aggregates gas from NAOC’s swamp wells in Bayelsa suffered a second attack within a few days on April 5 and went up in flames. Mr Idris Musa, Director-General, National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, had last week said investigations by the agency traced the two leak incidents to sabotage by vandals.  Eni in it’s  statement said the firm shut in all gas wells that feed the line to douse pressure and pave way for repairs which was completed on April 8.

“A gas leak incident due to third-party interference occurred on 5th April along 24’’ Ogbainbiri to Obiafu/Obrikom Gas pipeline at Okaka in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. All wells conferring in that pipeline was immediately shut-in and line depressurised whilst the area was cordoned off for safety reasons. The relevant Government Regulatory Agencies and the community were promptly notified. A Joint Investigation Visit confirmed sabotage. Deferred production is estimated at about 5 MSm3/d of gas and the repair job was completed on 8th April.  Production ramp up will take some days. Force majeure has been declared at Bonny NLNG. This is the second hacksaw cut in the area in a few day, following a previous event that occurred on the same pipeline on 28th March,” Eni stated.