NNPCL Uncovers Over 4, 800 Illegal Connections On Oil Pipelines In Nigeria

NNPCL Uncovers Over 4, 800 Illegal Connections On Oil Pipelines In Nigeria

“We have over 4,800 illegal connections on our pipelines. That means in some lines, within 100 kilometres of pipelines, you have as much as 300 insertions,” the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL Mele Kyari told the Senate Committee on Appropriations on Friday.

“Therefore, even when you produce the oil, you cannot deliver them at the required pressure and therefore the volume will also be less.”

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As per the NNPCL chief, individuals from various regions of the country are reportedly infiltrating the oil-producing Niger Delta region in Nigeria to install unauthorized connections on pipelines.

This recent revelation follows a previous incident a year ago when the company uncovered 295 illicit connections to its pipelines, highlighting the extensive issue of crude oil theft in Nigeria.

Approximately two years ago, Kyari stated that the country was experiencing a daily loss of 200,000 barrels of oil, amounting to $13 million, due to theft and vandalism.

“We have two sets of losses, one coming from our products and the other coming from crude oil,” he said. “In terms of crude losses, it is still going on. On the average, we are losing 200,000 barrels of crude every day.”

Following the revelation, Nigeria’s security forces had pledged to enhance security measures along the country’s pipelines. In an effort to bolster security in this regard, the Federal Government granted a multi-billion naira pipelines surveillance contract to Tantita Security Services, headed by former militant leader Government Ekpemepulo, also known as Tompolo.

Despite facing criticism for this decision, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum, stands by the move, asserting that it was the appropriate course of action.

“I want to also use the opportunity to express our gratitude to Tantita who has been commissioned by the NNPCL to be able to do some work but we are going to do a lot more,” he said in August after a tour of oil facilities in the Niger Delta.

A new law, the Petroleum Industry Bill, passed in 2021 after years of debate and delays aimed to bring more foreign investment in the oil sector with amendments to regulations, royalties, and taxes.

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