The Shell Petroleum Development Company on Wednesday confirmed multiple spills from its pipeline network at Ikarama oil fields in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Joseph Obari, the SPDC spokesman, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Yenagoa that the seven spill incidents were reported on August 12.
The residents of Ikarama Community attributed the incident to the termination of pipeline surveillance contract by SPDC, which compelled the surveillance guards to withdraw their services.
It was reported that the oil firm had deployed a helicopter for aerial surveillance and investigation of the sabotage at the Ikarama fields, following the spill.
Obari said, however, that the cause of the spill had yet to be determined.
He said: “Seven spills were reported on the 14-inch Okordia-Rumuekpe pipeline at Ikarama on August 12, 2015.
“The SPDC Joint Venture is finalising plans for the conduct of a Joint Investigation Visit to the sites.”
NAN reports that JIV is a statutory process whereby the operating company, regulatory agencies, the Bayelsa State Ministry of the Environment, Police and community representatives ascertain the cause, volume and impact of a spill.
Obari added: “As to the assumption that the spills resulted from sabotage of the pipeline by aggrieved surveillance contractors, who are being owed salaries, we cannot speculate.
“JIV is yet to be conducted to determine the cause of the spills.”
NAN.