A devastating fire incident has occurred at the Akaso 4 Wellhead, operated by NNPC 18 Operating Limited, located in the Niger Delta region.
According to a statement issued by the Head Public affairs and Corporate Communications of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission NUPRC Olaide Shonola on Saturday, The fire, which started on August 2, 2024, at approximately 11:12 pm, has spread to the adjacent riverbank, raising concerns about environmental contamination.
NNPC 18 Operating Limited has swiftly responded to the incident, deploying a rapid response emergency team to secure the well and contain the spread of the fire.
The team is working to isolate the affected area using spill containment materials to prevent further environmental damage.
The company has also deployed a Naval Houseboat to the incident area and established community surveillance to monitor the situation. A joint investigation with relevant stakeholders is being planned to determine the cause and impact of the incident.
Notably, the Akaso Well 4 has been out of operation for a significant period, and this incident comes as the company is still grappling with another fire at its Alakiri Well 9T, which started on February 23, 2024, and is yet to be extinguished.
The contractor engaged to deal with the Alakiri Well 9T fire is facing challenges and plans to deploy a new method to put out the fire.
A meeting with NNPC 18 Operating Limited management is planned to review the safety and integrity of its operations.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has assured that further updates on the incident will be provided as soon as they are available.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety and environmental impact of oil operations in the region.
The NUPRC has urged the company to take all necessary measures to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of the environment and communities.
Editor : Ena Agbanoma
