The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has ascribed Friday’s explosion at an oil field in Rivers state to the activities of oil thieves.
SPDC disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, Michael Adande.
The statement said that a joint investigation by representatives of regulators, host communities, operators, and the state Ministry of Environment on Saturday found a breach of the TNP.
In the statement, Adande said that the company regrets the loss of lives in the incident and commiserated with the families of victims.
He added that security agencies conducting rescue operations had not come out with exact casualty figures.
Meanwhile, the Police in Rivers confirmed that about 10 persons died on Friday following the explosion.
Adande said the fire at the Rumuekpe-Nkpoku trunk line in Rivers was put out before Saturday’s joint investigation began.
“The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) confirms with great sadness that the fire incident, which occurred on Friday, March 3, 2023, on the Rumuekpe – Nkpoku Trunk Line in Rivers State, resulted in the unfortunate loss of lives.
“Government security agencies are still investigating to know the exact number of lives lost in the incident. This is indeed a deeply regrettable incident and we commiserate with the families that have been impacted.
“The report of the government-led Joint Investigation Visit team, which included representatives of the community, ascertained that the fire, which has been extinguished, occurred at the site of an illegal connection used for crude theft.
“The Rumuekpe – Nkpoku Trunk Line, which was not operational at the time of the incident, is part of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP),” he said.
