NNPC Ltd Blames Buguma Wellhead Fire On Activities Of Vandals
…Pledges Support For Communities Affected By Destructive Activities
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has said that the fire incident at its Buguma Wellhead O08, operated by its subsidiary, NNPC Eighteen Operating Ltd (NEOL), was directly caused by the activities of pipeline vandals attempting to compromise the Christmas Tree and steal crude oil.
It said in a statement on Monday that the unfortunate act of sabotage, which also resulted in severe damage to the well’s back pressure valve, reflects a disturbing pattern of repeated attacks on wellheads in the zone.
The statement added that since March 2023, crude oil theft on this asset has been persistent, with criminals now resorting to extreme measures, including the use of dynamite to destroy installations and illegally access hydrocarbons.
The NNPC Ltd said it remains committed to combating these fires and mitigating the financial losses associated with these criminal activities, which place a significant burden on the nation’s economy.
“The company is working closely with relevant security agencies to put an end to these acts of vandalism,” it added
Additionally, NNPC Ltd reaffirms its commitment to supporting communities affected by these destructive activities, adding that it will continue to provide necessary relief efforts to mitigate the impact on those affected.
The NNPC statement came few hours after the Nigerian Air Force on Monday refuted allegations linking it to the explosion at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Someellhead in the Buguma Community, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Some reports had attributed the explosion to the actions of Nigerian Air Force operatives.
However, in a statement, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, clarified that the wellhead had been leaking crude oil for a prolonged period due to persistent illegal activities in the area.
He said, “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has noted with concern a misleading report by certain media outlets suggesting that the NAF may have been responsible for the explosion at the NNPC wellhead in Buguma Community, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“The NAF categorically refutes this false and unfounded claim and urges media outlets to exercise due diligence by verifying facts before publishing, rather than relying on assumptions.
“Contrary to the allegations made by the Buguma Community spokesperson, who speculated that the fire may have been caused by ageing oil facilities, illegal oil bunkering, or NAF operations, we wish to clarify the situation. The wellhead had been leaking crude oil due to prolonged illegal activities in the area.”
Akinboyewa stated that high-definition video footage from previous NAF missions, including recordings from December 2024, showed the wellhead leaking crude oil and the surrounding area already engulfed in flames before NAF operations commenced.
He said, “Video recordings from previous missions confirm that the wellhead had been leaking for an extended period, resulting in the accumulation of gas and flammable liquids in the surrounding environment.
“High-definition video recordings from the NAF platform, including footage from December 2024, clearly show the wellhead spilling oil and the barge already burnt before its arrival at the location.
The onboard camera system ensures transparency and accountability by capturing and documenting all activities, eliminating any possibility of indiscriminate firing at civilians or destroying assets, as falsely alleged.”
NNPC Ltd Blames Buguma Wellhead Fire On Activities Of Vandals is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
