The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has confirmed an oil leak from the Bonny Oil Export Terminal, emphasizing that the incident will not disrupt oil export operations.
SPDC’s Media Relations Manager, Gladys Afam-Anadu, stated on Monday that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the incident and the volume of crude discharged. She clarified that only one section of a single loading buoy out of three was affected, Daily Post Nigeria reported.
A Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) to the site, led by regulatory agencies, has been initiated. According to SPDC, the leak occurred on December 8, when an oil sheen was detected at a loading buoy during export operations at the Bonny Terminal, prompting an immediate suspension of loading activities.
“Our Emergency Response Team has been activated, and regulatory authorities and other stakeholders have been notified,” Afam-Anadu said. She added that the investigation is being spearheaded by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).
SPDC highlighted that its primary focus remains on the safety, health, and well-being of the local community and the environment.
Oil spills, such as this one, pose significant environmental risks, threatening marine and coastal ecosystems, including the flora and fauna that depend on these habitats.
Such incidents can lead to long-term ecological damage, impacting biodiversity and the livelihoods of local communities reliant on these natural resources. Effective and swift containment measures are crucial to mitigate these potential dangers.