Key points
- Oando says suspected third-party sabotage caused the June 27 oil spill in Bayelsa.
- The company says emergency response measures were activated immediately after the incident.
- Repairs to the damaged flowline were completed on July 19.
- Environmental cleanup and remediation activities are ongoing.
Main story
Oando Plc has attributed the June 27 oil spill from its Azuzuama-1 flowline in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State to suspected third-party sabotage.
The company disclosed this in a statement issued by its General Manager, Corporate Communications, Alero Balogun.
According to the company, the spill occurred along its four-inch Azuzuama-1 flowline at the Azuzuama community, prompting the immediate activation of its emergency response team to contain the incident in line with regulatory requirements.
Balogun said Oando worked with the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment and representatives of the host community during the statutory Joint Investigation Visit and subsequent containment, repair and remediation activities.
She said technical investigations, including an Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement test on the affected section of the pipeline, found evidence consistent with induced corrosion resulting from third-party interference.
Balogun added that the findings were affirmed by the regulatory authorities that participated in the investigation.
She said repairs to the damaged section of the flowline were completed on July 19 after stakeholders restored access to the affected site.
According to the company, environmental cleanup and remediation activities are continuing in compliance with applicable environmental standards and regulatory requirements.
Balogun reaffirmed Oando’s commitment to safe and responsible operations, environmental protection and continued collaboration with regulators and host communities.
She added that the company would ensure the timely completion of remediation activities while maintaining the integrity of its operations.
The issues
Oil spills remain a major environmental challenge in the Niger Delta, with incidents often linked to equipment failure, operational issues or third-party interference. Determining the cause of spills is critical to assigning responsibility and guiding remediation efforts.
What’s being said
“An Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement test conducted on the affected section of the flowline during the technical investigation indicated evidence consistent with induced corrosion caused by third-party interference, commonly described as sabotage.” — Alero Balogun, General Manager, Corporate Communications, Oando Plc.
Bottom line
Oando says regulatory investigations support its position that sabotage caused the Bayelsa oil spill, while cleanup and environmental remediation efforts continue at the affected site.
