PINL Destroys 35 Clusters Of Illegal Refineries In N’Delta

Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has confirmed the discovery and destruction of about 35 clusters of illegal oil bunkering and refining points in parts of the Niger Delta areas covering Zone 3 of the Eastern Corridor, comprising Owaza, Odogwa, Ishimiri and Kom-Kom.
The clusters are in both Rivers and Abia states.
The company made the announcement deep in the creeks off the Imo River on the OML 11 acreage operated by NEPL (NNPC Exploration & Production Limited, the exploration and production arm of the NNPCL).
Speaking to journalists at one of the sites, Operations Manager, Pipeline Infrastructure, Engr. Joshua Ogundele, said that the area covers facilities along the Nkaliflowstationwith the twin 12-inch delivery lines spanning 27km from Imo II manifold in Imo State through parts of Owaza in AbiaState to Ogale manifold in Rivers State.
Ogundele said that the joint operation of members of the technical team of the company, pipeline surveillance guards and government security agents destroyed the metal storage tank of 85,000 litres deep into the raffia palm forest off the Imo River.
He noted that both sides of the river bank and the river itself were littered with hundreds of such illegal refining ‘depots’ with clear signs of the devastation done to the forest and the river stretching more than 2km.
Ogundele said, “We are here to continue with the “Zero IR” (Zero Illegal Refineries) campaign, complete destruction and eradication of all identified IRs and to also ensure that the illegal activities of crude oil thieves is discouraged by all means necessary via community engagement, daily patrolling and deployment of security and personnel coupled with the unflinching support of the Government Security Agencies”.
He added, “We are here to ensure the total removal of all tap points including OML 17 which spans 5km from Nkali flow station to Imo 2 manifold.
“As you can see, this is a big drum, which is approximately 85,000 litres capacity, and we are here to ensure total destruction of these illegal refineries which we have spotted in this area”.
He explained that the exercise was an ongoing one, saying “as soon as this tank was discovered, we commenced destruction immediately”.
He commended the host communities for their enormous support, attributing their success to the cooperation of the people.
He said; “Part of our daily activities in discovering these illegal refineries is engagement of community surveillance. So, this is one of the avenues where the host communities assist in ensuring the success of discovering these illegal refineries”.