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JTF intercepts illegal bunkering barge, arrests 11 suspects in multiple raids

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In its continued effort to end illegal bunkering activities in the waterways of the Niger Delta, the operatives of the Joint Task Force ‘Operation Pulo Shield’ have arrested an ocean going barge used by vandals in the region.
The barge containing an unascertained quantity of crude oil, was intercepted and arrested at Mangbiye Creek, Sangana community of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

The JTF, in a statement by Lt. Col. Mustapha  Anka, Coordinator, Joint Media Coordinating Centre (JMCC), noted that the troops deployed at Kalaibiama also discovered a wooden boat and a metal barge filled with stolen crude oil.  No arrest was made as the suspects absconded on sighting the troops.

Similarly, the troops deployed at Igbematoro, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, while on patrol discovered and destroyed 23 illegal oil distillery camps, 18 illegal oil dumps, and 34 drums filled with stolen crude.

“Other items discovered include six Cotonou boats and three pumping machines used for illegal oil bunkering activities.  Six suspects were arrested while illegally siphoning products from Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) pipeline at Okwagbude Community in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.”

In another operation, troops deployed at Opunami general area of Warri South and Abudu, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Delta and Edo States respectively, discovered and scuttled 30 illegal oil distillery camps where oil thieves operate with 15 Cotonou boats, 13 plastic tanks and 365 drums filled with substances suspected to be illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO).

Anka stated that other items discovered at the site included three pumping machines, one speed boat, 16 cooking ovens and several other illegal oil bunkering materials.

“The troops also intercepted a speed boat conveying suspected illegal oil bunkering equipment including three pumping machines, a packet of welding electrolyte, iron cutting and drilling machine. The boats and the items are now in the custody of the JTF for preliminary investigation.

Following an intelligence tip off, troops deployed at Omadine in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State during land throttling intercepted and arrested a trailer loaded with 50 drums of illegally refined AGO, 49 drums filled with crude oil and 35 drums of sludge, adding that three suspects were also arrested.

“Both the vehicle and the suspects are in the custody of the JTF for preliminary investigation.  Another two suspects were also apprehended along Aziza junction in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, conveying 400 litres capacity container in a Mitsubishi Gallant saloon car filled with substances suspected to be illegally refined fuel (AGO).

“Both vehicle and the products were set ablaze while the suspects are in custody for preliminary investigation before handing them over them to prosecuting agency.”

[This Day]

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Pipeline vandalism affect PPMC operations

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The Pipelines Products Marketing Company, PPMC a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC is worried about the vandalism of petroleum pipelines in the nation.

The firm stated over the weekend that the continued rupturing of both crude oil and gas pipelines in the country was becoming frustrating.

The Managing Director, PPMC, Mr. Haruna Momoh, told journalists on Saturday that efforts to arrest the menace were becoming difficult as the vandals had made it a daily routine.

Momoh, who spoke through the company’s Executive Director, Commercial, Mr. Francis Amego, said, “Between 2008 and 2013, the total loss recorded is over N376bn and we have not seen the desired improvement. And all effort to curb this act proves to be more difficult by the day.”

On the rupturing of pipelines, he said there had been a gradual increase in the trend from 1999 to 2013.

“In 1999 we had 497, but last year we had 3,571, and this had a huge impact on product availability and the cost of maintaining the pipelines.”

He noted that pipeline vandals were becoming notorious in their acts, and stressed that they rupture crude oil infrastructure within hours after the lines had been fixed.

Momoh said, “You will identify a leak today. You will repair it and in less than 48 hours the leak will be opened again or another leak will be formed just a few meters away from the one you repaired. This, of course, hampers the distribution of our products massively.”

He called for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill as this would help with policies that would enhance the effective mitigation against oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

The Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mr. Andrew Yakubu had told reporters that the continued rupturing of pipelines was a major problem that eats deep into the NNPC’s revenue.

Yakubu, while explaining why it would be difficult for NNPC to comply by the Senate’s recommendation to remit $218m into the Federation Account, said pipelines vandalism, amongst other issues, came at a huge cost to the oil firm.

“We have had challenges in Arepo and many other parts and you know very well that anytime that line is breached, I cannot use it. I have vessels and I also need to understand energy crisis in the country and this means that I must have strategic storage.

“But now I don’t have access to my onshore facilities and my pipelines.”

He argued that if the corporation had failed to provide petroleum products, the senate would have summoned it.

Yakubu said, “If I did not do it last year, the same senate will summon me and ask me why there is no product. So the only person that can do that (Senate’s demand) is the magician.

“However, we will continue to engage and explain to them to make this fact clear and let us know if I should be punished for being the supplier of last resort?”

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Saipem bags two FPSO contracts in Brazil and Angola

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Saipem has been awarded contracts for the extension of leasing and upgrading works of the Cidade de Vitoria FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel) in Brazil.

The company has also been awarded a lease extension and operation contract for the Gimboa FPSO in Angola. These contracts are worth in total approximately $600 million.

Saipem has been awarded by Petrobras a four-year extension to the Cidade de Vitoria FPSO lease contract at Petrobras’ Golfinho Field, in Brazil’s Espirito Santo Basin, as well as a contract for modification and upgrading of the leased FPSO vessel. The total value of the two contracts is approximately $450 million.

The Cidade de Vitoria FPSO, owned and operated by Saipem, has been under a lease and operation contract to Petrobras since 2005. The contract has now been extended by four years, until 2022.

The modification works that Saipem will carry out on the vessel are valued at approximately $110 million. The works will increase the produced water treatment capacity and allow the connection of two additional gas wells with a high level of condensates by the first quarter of 2016. Saipem Execution Centre in France is responsible for the upgrade work, while pré-fabrication and installation of the topside will be done in Brazil.

In Angola, Saipem has been awarded by Sonangol P&P a two-year extension of the Gimboa FPSO lease and operation contract. The Gimboa FPSO is owned and operated by Saipem, and has been under a lease and operation contract in Block 4/05 since 2006.

The contract is extended to the first quarter of 2017 and the two-year extension has a value of approximately $150 million.

[Saipem Press Release]