The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has denied responsibility for the fire incident at its Buguma Wellhead 008 in Rivers State. Instead, the company blamed pipeline vandals attempting to steal crude oil.
Key Points:
- Cause of Fire: NNPCL attributed the fire to sabotage by pipeline vandals who damaged the well’s back pressure valve.
- History of Vandalism: The company reported persistent crude oil theft on the asset since March 2023, with criminals using extreme measures to access hydrocarbons.
- Relief Efforts: NNPCL pledged to provide necessary relief to affected communities and work with security agencies to combat vandalism.
- Financial Impact: The company acknowledged the significant financial burden of these criminal activities on the nation’s economy.
Source: Punch
