Nigeria’s Oil Production And Exports Hit By Pipeline Explosion

The Trans-Niger Pipeline , one of Nigeria’s largest petroleum pipelines that carry crude the Niger Delta to the Bonny terminal was e rocked by a powerful explosion on Monday night, disrupting Nigeria’s oil production and exports.

The blast, which occurred at Bodo in the Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, triggered a massive fire.

Although authorities have yet to announce the cause of the explosion, speculation suggests that sabotage by militant groups in the region may be to blame.

Militant groups have recently threatened to attack oil infrastructure in Rivers State amid a political crisis between the state and federal governments over funding allocation.

The pipeline, operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), is a critical artery for Nigeria’s oil industry, transporting crude oil from Rivers and Bayelsa states to the Bonny export terminal.

The explosion comes as Nigeria has been ramping up its oil production in recent months.

In February, the country exceeded its OPEC+ quota, driven by higher exports and demand from the new Dangote refinery.

However, the setback highlights the ongoing challenges facing Nigeria’s oil industry, including oil theft, vandalism, and infrastructure struggles.

The incident may also impact Nigeria’s efforts to increase its oil production, which has been hindered by years of oil theft and vandalism.

The country has struggled to meet its OPEC+ quota, and the explosion may exacerbate these challenges.

Source:https://energynewsafrica.com