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Shell Nigeria was warned about pipeline leak risk

 

Published by
World Pipelines,

Internal Shell Nigeria documents show that the company was advised by its own staff in 2002 to immediately replace a 30 year old pipeline passing through impoverished delta communities because it continually leaked and was a major risk.

The 24 in. trans-Niger pipeline in question then burst twice within a few days in November 2008, spilling thousands of barrels of oil.

Oil firm Royal Dutch Shell was told a pipeline had reached the end of its life years before it spilled up to 500 000 barrels of oil, according to court documents seen by the BBC.

Other Shell documents, filed with the London high court and obtained by Amnesty International, suggest that the company underplayed the magnitude of the two spills that occurred near Bodo in Ogoniland.

Shell investigation reports for the two spills claim that only about 4000 barrels of oil were spilt in total. However, an independent assessment published by US firm Accufacts Inc. calculated that the amount spilt exceeded 100 000 barrels.

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) is being sued by 15 000 villagers living near Bodo.

Edited from various sources by Elizabeth Corner

Sources: The GuardianBBC

 

Shell Nigeria declares force majeure on Bonny Light loadings

Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has declared a force majeure for June and July 2011 on Bonny Light loadings as a result of damaged pipelines. The production deferment will affect loadings at the Bonny terminal and came into affect at 12 am on June 13th.