NNPCL Reported 400 Crude Oil Theft Incidents in a Week

SEATTLE (Oil Monster): The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited reported nearly 400 incidents of crude oil thefts in the country during the one-week period from 15^th to 21^st June this year. The alarming rise in theft incidents poses big threat to the country’s efforts to attract investment and boost production.

According to NNPC, the Western region of River and Bayelsa states recorded the highest number of such incidents of 265, followed by deep blue waters off the coast of Niger Delta with as many as 65 incidents. The Western Niger Delta region recorded around 26 incidents during the week, with most of the reported incidents occurring in Delta state.

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The incidents were reported by various companies, security agencies across the Niger Delta and other government security agencies. As many as 8 suspects were arrested by security agencies, in connection with the incidents, NNPC noted.

The breakdown of the incidents reveal that there were a total of 165 cases of illegal refineries, 69 cases of illegal connection, 15 cases of vandalism, 8 incidents of oil spill, 19 incidents of illegal storage location and 74 incidents of vessel AIS infraction.

The Nigerian oil production continues to be dragged down by rising theft incidents and acts of vandalism. The country has for long time failed to achieve the OPEC+ production quota of 1.5 million barrels per day. The Nigerian crude oil production dropped to 1.25 million barrels per day in May this year.