Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) on Tuesday confirmed that it was in receipt of a report of a fire incident at two oil wells operated by Eroton Exploration and Production Limited (EEPL).
Mr Idris Musa, Director-General of NOSDRA said that the twin incidents happened at Akaso Wells 14 and 4T Wellheads, Rivers on Monday.
Musa explained that following the notification of the incident to the Agency, the company, officials of the spills agency, oil firm’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) were immediately mobilised to the site.
“The company has mobilised a vendor, which is expected to arrive at the incident location today, October 4, 2022, to extinguish the raging fire from the Wells; the Agency will supervise the activity accordingly.
“An illegal boat was observed at the location, which was suspected to be engaged in oil theft. The boat has been completely burnt but the fire on the boat has been extinguished.
“The two Wells are, however, still on fire until the vendor arrives to extinguish it,” Musa said
The Director-General said that a situation room was created by the company for effective communication with all relevant stakeholders.
According to him, NOSDRA subsequently directed the company to give a two-hourly update on the incident.