The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has reported an oil spill from Shell’s underwater pipeline in Obololi, located in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. NOSDRA began efforts to recover the spilled crude on Friday. According to a statement issued by the agency’s Director-General, Chukwuemeka Woke, the report of the spill was received on Monday, prompting an immediate joint investigation to determine the cause.
The spill occurred in Shell’s 16-inch Nun River-Kolo Creek pipeline, which caused crude oil to leak into the River Nun, affecting surrounding communities in Obololi. The statement read, “On Monday, February 17, 2025, the agency received a report of a crude oil spill from Shell Petroleum Development Company’s 16-inch Nun River-Kolo Creek pipeline at Obololi community in Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa State. As the lead agency on all oil spill-related matters in Nigeria, we immediately convened a joint investigative visit to the site.”
Woke explained that while the exact cause of the leak remains unclear, the pipeline is submerged in water. The investigation involved NOSDRA, Shell Petroleum Development Company, the Bayelsa Ministry of Environment, and representatives from the affected community to determine the incident’s circumstances.
Containment measures have been implemented, and temporary storage tanks are being set up to manage the spill. NOSDRA is actively monitoring the situation to ensure appropriate response actions are taken.
In its 2024 report, NOSDRA stated that 19,000 barrels of crude oil were spilled last year, totaling approximately three million liters, or 95 oil tanker truckloads. One of the spills was categorized as “major,” involving over 250 barrels spilled into inland waters or more than 2,500 barrels spilled on land, swamp, shoreline, or the open sea. Additionally, 10 spills were categorized as “Medium,” each involving between 25-250 barrels spilled into inland waters or 250-2,500 barrels spilled in various environments.
