Nembe spill: Aiteo caps leaking well

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The leaking well at Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 operated by Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company in Nembe swamps in Bayelsa has been shut-in.

The leak, which was reported to regulatory agencies on November 5, 2021, had been ongoing until both foreign and local experts deployed to cap the leaking well achieved a breakthrough on Wednesday.

The oil workers suddenly started singing songs of praise immediately study noticed that oil had ceased to gush out from the well hard.

Sources within the OML 29 said that a team of oil workers engaged in oil recovery for the past one month heaved a sigh of relief at the development. adding that at least 8,000 barrels of crude and water sediments have been recovered so far.

Contacted for a reaction, Mr Mathew Ndianabasi, spokesman for Aiteo Group said the leak has been plugged.

It will be recalled that the oil firm enlisted the services of United States well control firm Boots and Coots, a Halliburton Company to stop the oil and gas leak from the well.

President Muhamadu Buhari had on Nov 25 dispatched the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva to visit the spill impacted site to emphasise with victims of the spill and ensure adequate response.

Also Gov Douye Diri of Bayelsa visited the site, five days afterwards and criticised the operator of the leak for failure to bring the situation under control.

The operator had donated truckloads of relief materials which comprised food items, drinking water, and medical supplies on two occasions whilst the leak lasted as well as mobilised other oil firms in oil recovery efforts to minimise impact on the environment.