NNPC Ltd Uncovers Another Illegal Oil Connection, Launches Investigation
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd has uncovered an illegal connection on an oil well in Bille, Rivers State, in a move aimed at tackling the issue of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the country’s oil-producing regions.
The unauthorized connection was discovered on Well-12, operated by NNPC18 Operating Ltd, during a routine monitoring exercise.
The company has launched an immediate investigation to assess the impact of the illegal activity and secure the wellhead to prevent further tampering.
Officials have not disclosed the estimated volume of crude lost due to the connection, but they emphasize that swift containment measures are being implemented.
The discovery in Bille was one of three reported incidents across Nigeria’s oil-producing corridors on March 10, 2025.
The industry-wide security report also recorded two other cases of oil spills caused by mechanical failures.
One of the cases occurred at the Western Corridor where a leak was detected on a Seplat-operated flowline in Okirigwen, Delta State, suspected to have been caused by mechanical failure.
Findings revealed that Seplat has begun remediation efforts to contain the spill and repair the infrastructure.
On the Central Corridor, an oil spill was said to have occurred in Oyeregbene, Bayelsa State, from an Oando Delivery Line.
Investigations revealed that mechanical failure was the cause, and Oando has mobilized containment and repair measures.
No incidents were recorded in the Eastern Corridor, signaling relative stability in that region.
Oil theft and pipeline vandalism remain major challenges for Nigeria’s petroleum industry, with illegal connections contributing significantly to production losses.
Bille, a coastal town in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, is particularly vulnerable due to its waterway access, which makes illicit activities harder to monitor.
The federal government has ramped up efforts to curb crude theft, deploying security agencies and technology-driven monitoring solutions.
The NNPC Ltd had repeatedly assured the stakeholders in the oil and gas sector that it remains committed to safeguarding national oil assets in line with its mandate tk guarantee energy security for Nigerians and encapsulated in the Petroleum Industry Act.
NNPC Ltd Uncovers Another Illegal Oil Connection, Launches Investigation is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
