Explosion Rocks Agip Facility In Bayelsa

The Obama flow line at Okoroma-Terekein Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa was rocked by an explosion on Sunday.

The explosion at the facility, owned by Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), triggered pandemonium in the sleepy Okoroma-Tereke community.

Reports say that the immediate cause of the explosion could not be ascertained but a source said it caused minor damage to the facility that supplies crude through Obama to the Brass AGIP terminal.

In an e-mail forwarded to some newsmen over the incident, the Italian energy group, Eni, said the company had moved in some personnel to effect repairs on the damaged part of the flow station.

According to it, “Eni does not plan to introduce any force majeure on its oil export after the small incident at the pipeline, which is part of the Obama-Brass line.”

The statement further noted that “it is a very small incident. No force majeure is expected. Works to repair the damage will be completed in the next few hours.’’

However, sources from the area said the pipeline had been leaking oil into the creeks.

When contacted, the Bayelsa police spokesman, ASP Eguaveon Emokpai, said he had yet to receive any formal report on the incident.