Panic as Agip gas pipeline leaks in Bayelsa

From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

Panic spread around Bayelsa Palm road, Yenagoa, yesterday, following a massive gas leakage from a suspected pipeline belonging to Nigeria Agip Oil Company.

Sources disclosed that a loud explosion from suspected dynamite was heard on Monday night at about 11pm and, by Tuesday, there was a massive gas release to the atmosphere from the site of the pipeline, which is about 300 metres from the Bayelsa Palm road.

A close look at the ruptured pipeline indicated there was a battery and wire suggesting an explosive was detonated.

The Head, Field Operations, Niger Delta Resources Centre of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), Mr Morris Alagoa, who spoke to journalists at the site, said the leakage was the second time it would happen at the site.

He said the incident was not strange as many of such had been witnessed by field monitors like him.

He said there were signs that the incident could have been triggered by a third party, adding that it speaks volume about the security of the pipeline.

“It has been a recurring incident. There are giant anthills on the Agip pipeline, which might also help the people to sabotage the system, even in the afternoon, to burst the pipeline because it will serve as a cover for the perpetrators.

“We have SPDC pipeline on the other side and Agip pipeline this way, and both are running on the same line. That means there should be visibility, so that people passing by will see any intruder, whether in the day time or night. That could also send a signal that something is happening here.

“And this is raw gas coming out from the geological formation. Knowing that from the formation we have water, oil and gas from several wells being channeled to wherever, which even makes it more dangerous than gas flare in terms of impact on health.”

Morris confirmed that Nigerian Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) had already visited the site and hoped that other relevant agencies, like the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, would also visit the place to put a demarcation to restrict movement of people, to avoid any untoward incident.

Sources close to Agip said the company fixed the pipeline in a few days and lamented that after fixing, vandals blew it up again.

“The Nigerian Agip Oil Company is working actively to depressurise the pipeline, in order to affect repairs on it,” the source added.