NNPC Uncovers 165 Illegal Refineries in Niger Delta 

In the past week, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) uncovered 165 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta. Between June 15 and 21, about 400 incidents of oil theft and vandalism were reported. NNPC found 69 illegal connections in Bayelsa and Rivers States and reported eight oil spills caused by vandalism. In Warri, Delta State, an illegal loading point was discovered. In Okrika, Rivers State, 69 illegal refineries were dismantled, and the construction of an illegal refining oven was halted. Similar sites were found in Abia and Bayelsa States. Additionally, 19 illegal storage sites containing stolen crude were uncovered in Delta, Imo, Rivers, Abia, and Bayelsa States. NNPC seized 11 vehicles in Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa States, and confiscated 39 boats carrying stolen crude in Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa States, resulting in eight arrests. NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, stressed the need to address security challenges in the oil sector to increase production, noting that oil theft and vandalism have significantly reduced the nation’s crude oil output. 

Discovery of Illegal Connections and Oil Spills 

NNPC found and disconnected 69 illegal connections in Bayelsa and Rivers States. Additionally, at least eight oil spills due to vandalism or illegal connections were reported across the region. In Warri, Delta State, an illegal loading point was discovered, highlighting the widespread nature of these activities.In Okrika, Rivers State, 69 illegal refineries were uncovered and dismantled, with the construction of an ‘oven’ for crude oil refining halted. Similar operations were found in various locations in Abia and Bayelsa States. NNPC also uncovered 19 illegal storage sites filled with stolen crude and illegally refined products in Delta, Imo, Rivers, Abia, and Bayelsa States.NNPC reported seizing 11 vehicles in Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa States, and confiscating 39 boats carrying stolen crude in Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa States. Additionally, eight individuals were arrested in connection with these incidents. 

Addressing Security Challenges in Oil Production 

NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, recently emphasized the need to combat insecurity in the oil and gas sector to boost production. Kyari noted that oil theft and vandalism have led to a significant drop in the nation’s crude oil production. ‘How do you increase oil production? Remove the security challenge we have in our onshore assets. As we all know, the security challenge is real. It is not just about theft; it is about the availability of the infrastructure to deliver the volume to the market. No one is going to put money into oil production when he knows the production will not get to the market. Within the last two years, we removed over 5,800 illegal connections from our pipelines. We took down over 6,000 illegal refineries. You simply cannot get people to put money until you solve that problem,” Kyari said. 

The discovery of 165 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta by NNPC highlights the urgent need to address oil theft and vandalism to boost Nigeria’s crude production and infrastructure security,” said Mele Kyari, NNPC’s Group CEO. 

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPC) recent discovery of 165 illegal refineries and numerous incidents of oil theft and vandalism in the Niger Delta underscores the critical need for enhanced security measures in the region. The widespread illegal activities not only threaten Nigeria’s crude oil production but also jeopardize the country’s economic stability. NNPC’s efforts to dismantle illegal operations and secure oil infrastructure are essential steps towards restoring confidence in the oil sector and boosting national output. As emphasized by NNPC Group CEO Mele Kyari, addressing these security challenges is paramount to ensuring sustainable growth and investment in Nigeria’s oil industry.