Shell Resumes Output From Trans-Niger Oil Pipeline In Nigeria

Published: 01-May-2009

By: Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer

Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell) has recommenced operations at flowstations feeding into its Trans-Niger oil pipeline in southern Nigeria. The company has commenced the work after two weeks shut down due to a fire. The company finished repairs at the Bomu manifold in Ogoniland, in the Niger Delta region, on April 1, 2009 and has recommenced production.

The reason of the blaze that shut operations on April 12, 2009 was not known.

Repairs have been completed. Production resumed a few days ago and is ramping up, Shell Spokeswoman Caroline Wittgen said.

She refused to say how much output has resumed.

Traders informed prior to the disruption the pipeline carried around 120,000 barrels per day of Bonny Light crude, although they were unsure how much of this was closed.

Bonny Light is a Nigerian crude that is popular with US and European refiners.

Wittgen said force majeure, which frees Shell from its contractual obligations, remained in place for Bonny Light shipments.

The Trans-Niger pipeline crosses Ogoniland, a region where Shell closed its output operations in 1993 due largely to popular protests over pollution and lack of development.

President Umaru Yar'Adua announced in 2008 that the government would give the oilfields to another company after Shell abandoned them.

Tell your friend about this article