The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has disclosed that the fire explosion at its Buguma Wellhead 008 was caused by vandalism, marking another instance of sabotage on critical national infrastructure.
According to reports, the Nigerian Air Force denied any involvement in the fire incident at the Buguma Wellhead in Rivers State, clarifying that the explosion was unrelated to their operations.
In a detailed statement released late Monday, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye, revealed that the explosion resulted in extensive damage to the back pressure valve of the affected wellhead. He attributed the incident to the criminal activities of pipeline vandals who targeted the facility in an attempt to compromise the Christmas Tree system and steal crude oil.
“The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) reports that the fire incident at its Buguma Wellhead 008, operated by its subsidiary, NNPC Eighteen Operating Ltd (NEOL), was directly caused by the activities of pipeline vandals attempting to compromise the Christmas Tree and steal crude oil. This unfortunate act of sabotage, which also resulted in severe damage to the well’s back pressure valve, reflects a disturbing pattern of repeated attacks on wellheads in the zone,” he explained.
Soneye further elaborated that since March 2023, crude oil theft on the asset has been a persistent issue, with vandals adopting more extreme measures. “Criminals have now resorted to using dynamite to destroy installations and illegally access hydrocarbons, causing untold economic losses and environmental degradation,” he said.
The NNPC emphasized its unwavering commitment to addressing such incidents, including tackling the fires caused by sabotage and minimizing the financial losses to the nation. The company reiterated its dedication to restoring operational integrity at the affected site and enhancing security measures to prevent future occurrences.
Acknowledging the economic strain these activities have placed on the nation, Soneye noted that the NNPC is actively collaborating with relevant security agencies to strengthen the fight against vandalism. He urged the public and local communities to support these efforts by reporting suspicious activities around oil facilities.
In addition, the NNPC pledged to provide necessary support and relief to the communities impacted by the destructive incidents. “We remain committed to ensuring the welfare of affected communities and will continue to roll out interventions to alleviate the effects of these criminal activities,” Soneye added.
The fire explosion at the Buguma Wellhead serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced in securing Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure and the need for concerted efforts to end pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.