Shell Petroleum Development Company said, yesterday, that it has lifted a force majeure on exports of Forcados oil after repairs to a pipeline, signalling higher supplies from Africa’s top exporter.

Shell had declared force majeure on Forcados loa-dings in October, November and December on October 10 as it had to shut down some production after an attack on Trans Forcados Pipeline.

A Shell spokeswoman had no information on production at the fields supplying Forcados. But a trading source said supplies were returning and significant changes in cargoes’ loading dates were unlikely.

Meanwhile, Lawmakers have ordered an investi-gation into illegal oil bunkering.

Mr. Daniel Reyenieju, member, House of Representatives, who moved the motion, said: “There is a an unprecedented upsurge of illegal bunkering activities within Nigerian coastal region.”

The inquiry would find out who owns the illegal bunkering vessels, why it is difficult to stop them, who buys it and what happens to seized crude oil.