By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, has disclosed that the operation to gas leakage from a damaged well-head in Sangama community, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State would commence soon following agreement with the community.

The Commission Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe in a statement in Abuja explained the delays in fixing the well-head was caused by the refusal of the community to sign the joint investigation report which found that the well-head was damaged by a third party.

Engr. Komolafe disclosed that the gas leak occurred on the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company’s (NPDC), Well 6, in Sangama community.

“The incident which was reportedly observed on September 3, 2022 at about 13:30 hours, was reported by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Exploration & Production Limited (NNPC E&P LTD) on September 9, 2022.

“A Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) was carried out on September 11, by a team from NUPRC, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Rivers State Ministry of Environment as well as Community representatives with the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) in attendance”, he stated. 

He explained that “during the JIV, the team observed a gas leak from one of the valves on the well head. A closer look revealed that the Anode valve on the well head had been tampered with. It was adjudged by the regulators to have been caused by third party interference. 

“However, the community did not agree with the regulators and as a result would not sign the joint investigation report in spite of the technical explanation by the team. This prompted the team to reconvene on September 15, 2022 when, after an extensive discussion, all stakeholders eventually signed the incident report. 

“Efforts are ongoing to prevent further leakage, repair the damage and ensure that the development does not in any way affect the health and social lives of the people of the area and does not negatively impact the environment”, he added