SPDC declares force majeure on Forcados offtake programme

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) said it has declared force majeure on Forcados liftings effective 1500hrs (Nigerian time) February 21 2016, following the disruption in production caused by the spill on the Forcados Terminal subsea crude export pipeline.

Precious Okolobo, Media Relations Manager said that SPDC is intensifying efforts on containment and oil recovery from the February 14, 2016 spill, while also finalising repair plans.

Recently, SPDC said it has intensified recovery of oil from the February 14, 2016 spill at the Forcados Terminal export pipeline.

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The recovery exercise will be supported by industry group Clean Nigeria Associates (CNA) and other oil companies, SPDC has deployed specialised equipment to contain the spill.

The company also said that SPDC has mobilised clean-up teams and contracted a specialised aircraft to join in the response.

It would be recall that the production into the terminal and crude oil exports were stopped after the spill was discovered.

Diving teams which inspected the 48-inch diameter export pipeline reported extensive damage that is consistent with the application of external force. Following this incident, the SPDC Joint Venture is working with relevant government agencies to review the security situation around its critical assets in the Niger Delta.

General Manager External Relations of SPDC, Igo Weli, said: “This incident is regrettable but our response is comprehensive including multiple flights over the affected area to monitor the impact and deployment of clean-up experts from within and outside Nigeria.

“Oil recovery will continue while we finalise repair plans pending the conclusion of the ongoing Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) process. We appreciate the support of the communities, regulators and security agencies who are taking part in the investigation.”

In the meantime, SPDC has procured relief materials for distribution to communities.