An indigenous oil and gas company, Eroton Exploration and Production Company Limited, has condemned the vandalisation of oil facilities by suspected thieves and empathised with oil spill affected communities.
The company also stated its commitment to promoting professional and responsible oil field practices with the protection of its operational environment at the core of its values.
Eroton’s commitment came in the wake of a spill that occurred on June 15, 2022 from Cawthorne Channel Well 15 Wellhead (CAWC015L/S) in one of its areas of operation, a dual string well which started production in May 1977.
The organisation attributed the incident to sabotage from unknown persons, especially as the short string has been shut-in since 1988 due to high gas oil ratio, while the long string watered out and quit in 1991.
Its spokesperson, Mercy Max-Ebibai, head, External Affairs and Corporate Communications, informed newsmen that a preliminary joint investigative visit (JIV) found that the entire valves on the Christmas Tree, wellhead accessories (such as the control valves, tree caps, etc.), were removed.
She said the vandals also removed the well platform and gangway making it more complicated to intervene on the flowing well.
“Removal of the platform means our technicians have nothing to stand on in attempting to control the unplanned flow as the well is standing at about 30-feet above sea level.
“On inspection by our team of engineers and service contractors (marred by poor visibility from crude flow and height), it was observed that the crude oil leak is most likely from three points: the Well Christmas Tree Cap, Swab and Wing Valves, which were carted away by the vandals.
“Eroton also confirmed that all regulatory obligations have been adhered to with the relevant authorities duly notified within the allowed window. This includes the statutory Form A to National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and other JIV partners, the Ministry of Environment and the principal representatives of the respective community development boards.”