A recent oil spill has been identified at the Egina field operated by TotalEnergies, according to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Wednesday.
TotalEnergies authorities have reported that they are closely monitoring the situation, and efforts are underway to contain the oil spill that occurred during loading operations.
In a statement, Osagie Edward, the spokesperson for TotalEnergies, mentioned that NIMASA is collaborating with the spill detention agency and the oil industry regulator to manage the spill. The volume of the spill has not been confirmed yet.
Edward emphasized that the impact of the spill is minimal, and production at the 200,000 barrel-per-day capacity oilfield remains unaffected. The company is actively working with local authorities to address the residual sheen resulting from the incident.
Nigeria’s Niger River delta region has long suffered from oil spills, causing extensive environmental damage and adversely affecting the lives of local communities. TotalEnergies is reported to be providing aerial surveillance and applying dispersants, considering additional measures for the spill cleanup.
Bashir Jamoh, the head of NIMASA, stated, “Since the incident happened, our men have been liaising with other organs of government to ensure the pollution is effectively controlled and managed, to protect the marine environment and the communities close to the incident point.”
A preliminary survey of nearby areas indicates that coastal communities in Andoni, Qua-Iboe terminals, Bonny Island, Opobo/Nkoro, and Eastern Obolo have not yet been impacted by the spill.
Oil majors operating in Nigeria, the top crude producer in Africa, have faced legal challenges in the past related to oil spills. TotalEnergies spokesperson Charles Ebereoun confirmed the leak and clarified that it is not a massive one, having been treated appropriately. He assured that no shoreline or communities have been impacted.
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