OIL SPILL MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA:

CHALLENGES OF PIPELINE
VANDALISM IN THE NIGER DELTA
REGION OF NIGERIA

By
Dr. L.P.E YO-ESSIEN,
NATIONAL OIL SPILL DETECTION & RESPONSE AGENCY (NOSDRA)
ABUJA - NIGERIA
 1.INTRODUCTION
Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa and the eleventh
largest in the world. The mainstay of Nigeria’s economy is the
Petroleum sector, contributing about 90% of the nation’s foreign
exchange earnings and about 25% of the Gross Domestic
Products. A significant proportion of the Nation’s oil is produced
onshore and is subsequently transported by pipelines, although
recently oil production has witnessed increased activities in the
offshore. Estimated oil reserve is put at 35.2 billion barrels.
Average production of between 2.5billion barrels to 3.0 million
barrels per day (bbl/d).
Over the years, the amount of oil produced and transported
between points of production, processing and distribution or
export terminals has greatly increased as the demand of and
dependence on oil increased.

Although this increase in oil production level contributes to the

national economic growth, it also presents increased potential
for environmental pollution and degradation. Experience has
shown that oil spill into the environment holds negative
consequences. Apart from the problem of air pollution and
vegetation loss, there is reduction in the use of aquatic
resources and soil degradation.
There are complex and extensive systems of pipelines
across the Niger Delta region, which is the hub of oil
exploration and production in Nigeria. It has been
observed that thousands of barrels of oil have been
spilled into the environment through oil pipelines and
storage facilities failure in Nigeria.

The causes of pipeline damage and leakage can differ

greatly ranging from material defects and pipe corrosion
to ground erosion, tectonic movements on the sea
bottom and contact with ship anchors and bottom trawls
particularly in the offshore operations while vandalism is
observed as the substantial cause of pipeline damage
onshore in Nigeria
2.LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK AND MANAGEMENT
OF OIL SPILLS IN NIGERIA
The Government as the environmental conscience of the citizenry
has put in place a number of laws to govern the petroleum industry
in Nigeria and by extension provide the necessary framework for oil
spill management.

These include:
• Oil Pipelines Act, 1965;
• Mineral oil (safety) regulations, 1997;
• Petroleum regulations, 1967;
• Petroleum Drilling and Production regulations, 1969;
• Oil in navigable water Act, 1968;
• Oil Terminal Dues Act, 1969;
• Petroleum refining Regulations, 1974;
• Federal Environmental Regulations, 1974;
• Federal Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1990;
• National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency
Act, 2006.
• Ministry of Niger Delta
In a related effort to effectively manage oil spill in Nigeria, a co-
operative of oil industry operators known as Clean Nigeria
Associate (CNA) was formed in 1981, which amongst others,
maintains the required capacity and capability for oil spill
preparedness, prevention and response within the 1st and 2nd
Tier spill response systems of its members.

Nigeria, as a signatory to the International Convention on Oil

Pollution, Preparedness and Response Co-operation (OPRC
1990) that focuses on the responsibility of member states to
establish a national system or plan for responding promptly and
effectively to oil pollution incidents, developed a National Oil Spill
Contingency Plan (NOSCP), which was revised in 2003 and
reviewed in 2006. The Government established the National oil
spill Detection and response Agency (NOSDRA) in 2006 as part
of its effort in implementing the NOSCP.
 3. PRIMARY ROLE OF THE NATIONAL OIL SPILL
DETECTION
AND RESPONSE AGENCY (NOSDRA)

The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency

(NOSDRA) is charged with the responsibility of implementing
the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP) for Nigeria in
line with International Convention on Oil Pollution
Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (OPRC)1990
which Nigeria is a signatory.
The Agency is also empowered to ensure timely, effective and
appropriate response in terms of necessary equipment and
resources to protect threatened environment and facilitate
clean up of impacted sites to the best practical extent
including remediation and restoration.
3.1 The primary roles of the Agency amongst others include:

i. The primary roles of the Agency amongst others include

Maintains surveillance and ensures compliance with all existing
environmental legislation as well as the detection of oil spills in the
Petroleum sector;
ii. Receives reports of all oil spillages and co-ordinates oil spill
response activities through out Nigeria;
iii. Coordinates the implementation of the plan for the removal
of hazardous substances as may be issued by the Federal
Government;
iv. The Agency also has the responsibility to strengthen the
national capacity and regional action to prevent, control, combat
and mitigate marine pollution.
It is therefore regrettable that despite efforts and strategies put in
place by the Nigerian Government and Oil Industry Operators, oil
spill incidences due to pipeline vandalism occur unabated.
 4.MAJOR OIL SPILL INCIDENTS IN NIGERIA
In Nigeria, oil spill did not receive attention until late
1970’s, when formal documentation commenced. From
available statistics, a total of 9,107 oil spill incidences
occurred between 1976 and 2005 resulting in about
3,121,909.8 barrels of oil spilled into the environment.
Some of the major spills recorded in Nigeria include:

i. The Escravos spill of about 300,000 barrels in 1978;

ii. The oil blowout of 1980. In the spillage which involved
Texaco oil Company, over 400,000 barrels of oil spread
through the Delta region polluting about 1,200Km2. In the
disaster, about 180 people died while 300 people
contacted various illnesses through drinking polluted water
and eating contaminated food. (Odu and Offodum 1986)

iii. Another reported incident of oil spill in 1986 occurred

at Escravos in Delta State involving Nigerian National
It was estimated that eight major creeks and villages
were affected by the spillage. In the incident several
thousand barrels of oil were lost and economic activity
was paralyzed in the affected areas. The damage done
to fishponds, nets and traps was put at over 2 million
Naira (Odu and Offodum 1986)

iv. Mobile oil spillage of 1998 polluted waters from

Akwa Ibom State in the South to Lagos State in the
West. It was observed that the spill led to loss of over
40,000 barrels of oil to the environment.

v. The Jesse spill incident of 1998, which resulted in a

fire incident that claimed over a thousand lives and
ravaged the fragile ecosystem.
 5. OIL SPILLS THROUGH PIPELINE VANDALISM

Oil pipeline vandalization occurs through acts of sabotage.

Sabotage here relates to various acts that interrupt the
production and distribution of petroleum products.
Sabotage is currently the leading cause of oil spillage in
Nigeria. Thieves seeking to siphon fuel often locate, target
and attack oil pipelines in Nigeria. The spark that results
from such an impact has been attributable to the frequent
pipeline fire and explosion. According to Johnson (2004)
the pipeline explosion has killed hundreds of looters and
bystanders. The most recent of this pipeline explosion in
Ilado, Lagos on May,2006 led to more than 200 people
incinerated in the pipeline fire (Balogun et al 2006).
Several deaths recorded from pipeline fire in recent times
are a few of the horrendous effects of crude oil theft from
oil pipeline, a leading cause of oil spill in Nigeria today.
Oil spill through pipeline vandalism by idle youth in Nigeria
has peaked up in the last few decades. Poor
implementation of memorandum of understanding (M.O.U)
between oil companies and host communities, lack of
employment and environmental degradation has been
blamed for this trend.(Uwhejevwe-Togbolo 2005). Ojediran
and Ndibe (2005) reported that an average of 35,000
barrels of crude oil is stolen per day in circumstances that
threaten lives and the environment. Apart from the lost of
lives and property through pipeline fire, the run-off from
impacted sites usually degrade the quality of the fresh
water sources which serves the domestic rural water
supply needs of most communities in Nigeria.
Oil spill incidence through pipeline vandalism appears to be
peculiar to Nigeria and has become rampant in recent times and
if no urgent measures are taken by the relevant Nigerian
agencies, the frequent pipeline cuts that continue to spill for
weeks and months has the capacity of undermining
Government’s efforts at meeting its obligations in spill
management. Pipeline vandalism and disruption of oil production
activities regrettably are now integral part of oil and gas
operations in Nigeria.

The enormous oil installations deployed in the Niger Delta region

explains their vulnerability to vandalism. Presently, the Niger
Delta region plays host to 600 oil fields of which 360 fields are
onshore while 240 are offshore with over 3000 kilometers of
pipelines crisscrossing the region and linking some 275 flow
stations to various export terminals. It is pertinent to note that oil
spills resulting from pipeline vandalism has continued to be a
challenge, with most incidents along major pipelines and
manifolds.
This has introduced a serious challenge to oil
spill management in Nigeria and at the
moment has defiled all contingency
arrangements of oil industry operators.
The reasons attributed to this ‘monster’ vary,
ranging from economic to political. These
reasons advanced notwithstanding, oil spill
through pipeline vandalism is a threat to oil
production, sustainable livelihood as well as
the environment.
Table1 shows that for the period 1995-2005
for instance, Shell Petroleum Development
Company one of the major oil operators in
Nigeria recorded a total of 2944 oil spill
incidents. The data reveals a noticeable
increase from 235 oil spill incidents in
1995 to 330 in 2000. The least number of
224 oil spill incidents was observed in
2005.
 TABLE 1. OIL SPILL DATA: SPDC 1995-2005
YEAR NUMBER OF SPILLS VOLUME IN BARRELS (bbl)
1995 235 31,000
1996 326 39,000
1997 240 80,000
1998 248 50,000
1999 320 20,000
2000 330 30,100
2001 302 76,960
2002 262 19,980
2003 221 9,916
2004 236 8,317
2005 224 11,921
TOTAL 2944 377,194
Source: SNAR,2005
The level of equipment failure and corrosion due to ageing facilities
were attributable to the rise in spill occurrences. Also mechanical
failure coupled with human error was also identifiable human factor
believed to be responsible.

However, with improvements in these facilities a gradual decline in

oil spill incidents from 2001 to 2005 although, a slightly high number
was recorded in 2004. Correspondingly, the maximum volume of
80,000 barrels of crude oil was spilled in 1997, while the least
volume of 8,317 was recorded in 2004.

The rising tide of violence, hostage taking in the Niger Delta region
has significant consequences on oil spill management particularly in
the area of quick access to spill sites.
The situation is further compounded by often unnecessary
pecuniary demands by the host communities which often results
to restrictive ability to respond and clean up spills in good time.

In 2006 Shell Nigeria recorded 241 oil spill incidents. Of this

number sabotage accounted for 165 (69%,) while 50 (20%) were
controllable incidents (resulting from equipment failure, corrosion
or human error). The remaining 26 incidents are yet to be
classified or quantified due to access restrictions either by
communities or the current insecurity in the Niger Delta.

Evidently, prompt response to oil spill is generally hampered

thereby making oil spill management more difficult than
anticipated and the environment being worse off.
In view of this, the Nigerian Government and Industry Operators
should explore ways and means other than what is available
currently in order to abate this ‘monster’.

There is need for more engagement of the communities in all the

processes of oil spill management to stem this ugly trend in the
Petroleum sector.

This could include joint surveillance of pipeline Rights- of -Way

involving the host communities, stricter penalties for pipeline
vandalism, aggressive public enlightenment on the negative
impacts of pipeline vandalism on the environment as well as
making supply of refined petroleum products affordable and
readily available thereby making oil pipeline theft unattractive.
 REFERENCES
1. Ajakaiye B.A. (2006) Welcome address presented at the
international workshop on review and update of the National Oil Spill
Contingency Plan
2. Aroh, K.N; Ubong, I.U; Eze, C.L; Harry, I.M; Umo-Otong,J.C; and
Gobo, A.E (2006). Oil Spill incidents and pipeline vandalization in
Nigeria, impact on public Health and negation to attainment of
Millennium Development Goals, the Ishiagu example disaster
prevention and management (unpublished).
3. Awobajo, S. A. (1981). An analysis of oil spill incidents in Nigeria:
1978-1980: In the Petroleum Industry and the Nigeria
Environment.Proceedings of 1981 international Seminar, Lagos. 1:
57-63
4. Balogun A; Olufowobi S and Nwachukwu C (2006) 200 burnt in
Lagos pipeline fire. Saturday Punch May13,2006, vol.41.
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Pollution in the Niger Delta region. The 6th late Engr. (Chief) D.H.S.
Souz- Okpofabiri memorial lecture holding at the Nigerian Society of
Engineers, Port Harcourt Branch mini secretariat Thursday 12th
July, 2001.
6. Ifeadi C.N. and Nwankwo J.N. (1978) Oil Spill incidents in Nigeria
petroleum Industry. A critical analysis NAPECTO 8 (4) : 5-11.

7. Johnson E. (2004) Nigerian Country Analysis Briefs. Nigeria Monthly

Energy Chronology (2002-2004).

8. National Oil Spill Detection and Response (Establishment ) Act,

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and Socioeconomic characteristics. Environmental Resources
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technology and Environment.

11. Nwilo P.C; Peters K.O. and Bodeji O.T. (2000) Sustainable
Management of oil spill incidents along the Nigerian Coastal areas.
12. Electronic Conference on Sustainable Development
Information System. CEDARE
13. Odu C.T and Offodum I. (1986) Oil Pollution and the
Environment. Bulletin of Science Association of Nigeria 3(2):
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14. Ojediran B. and Ndibe J. (2005) Oil Spill Management. SPDC
and the Environment.(2005).
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17. Shell Nigeria Annual Reports. SNAR (2005), (2006).
CLOSER VIEW OF BURNING AGGE MANIFOLD NORTH BANK
MARCH 2006

Fire incident on crossing No.6 at Fusokiri

Date of Incident: 26th December, 2000

Estimated Cost of Repairs: F & $450,000.00

Deferment : 115,000 Barrel / Day
Afam Fire Incident Blow-out
ILLEGAL BUNKERING (CRUDE OIL THEFT)

BARGE + SHIP
N043450E065493
SIGHTED 04/11/2000
(SIGHTING No. 43)
BLOW-IN UPS-RAPELE 24” TRUNKLINE @UVWIAMUGE ON 7 MAY 2003

CAUSE: 3rd PARTY DETONATION OF EXPLOSIVE ON THE LINE AFTER REMEDIATION

Estimated
Vol. Spilled: > 1000bbls

HOW DO WE
PREVENT THIS ?
Date: 10-Mar-03
Time: 1515 hours
Location: FUSOKIRI
Activity: Illegal Bunkering
Oil spill from illegal bunkering valve on 28-inch TNP Ebubu – Bomu at Eteo.
Crude Oil Stealing from SPDC Pipeline at Santa Babara
– 18th October 2005

Illegally installed valves

Crude Oil Stealing from Totalfinaelf Pipeline System
2007_00319. MORE PICTURES ON 10” UTOROGU-UPS TL SPILL & FIRE INCIDENCE OF
12/10/07 @ OTOR-EDO (DAY I OVERFLY PICTURES - 12/10/07).
The Fire Explosion Sites
Damaged section of the Pipe at 24” NNPC Riser by Vandal
20/12/2005