On August 3, 2024, a fire broke out at the Akaso 4 Wellhead, operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) 18 Operating Limited in Rivers State. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) confirmed the incident in a statement released by its spokesperson, Olaide Shonola. The fire, which spread to the adjacent riverbank, reportedly started on Friday at around 11:12 pm.
NNPC 18 Operating Limited has activated a rapid response emergency team to address the situation. The team has been tasked with securing the well, containing the spread of the fire, and preventing further environmental contamination. According to Shonola, spill containment materials have been deployed to isolate the affected area and initiate the oil recovery process.
Additionally, a Naval Houseboat has been stationed within the incident area, and community surveillance has been established to monitor the ongoing situation.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined. NUPRC has announced plans for a joint investigation with relevant stakeholders to ascertain the cause and assess the impact of the incident. It is worth noting that the Akaso 4 Well has been out of operation for a significant period.
In a related development, Shonola provided an update on another fire at the NNPC’s Alakiri Well 9T, which has been burning since February 23, 2024. The contractor handling this situation, Kenyon International West Africa Company, has faced difficulties in extinguishing the fire. They are now planning to switch from the heat extraction method to the total oxygen extraction method to address the issue effectively. The necessary equipment for this new approach is fully fabricated, and the contractor is awaiting mobilization from the well owners. Contractor personnel remain on-site to monitor the situation.
A meeting with the management of NNPC 18 Operating Limited is scheduled to review the safety and integrity of its operations. NUPRC has committed to providing further updates as more information becomes available.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges and risks associated with oil production in Nigeria, as well as the critical importance of effective emergency response and safety protocols.
The fire at the Akaso 4 Wellhead comes amid broader concerns about Nigeria's oil production and safety standards. The NUPRC recently reported that Nigeria's daily oil production hit 1.61 million barrels per day (mbpd) and produced 236 million barrels of crude in the first six months of 2024. Despite these figures, incidents like the Akaso 4 Wellhead fire and the prolonged fire at Alakiri Well 9T underscore the vulnerabilities and potential hazards in the country's oil industry.
The government's recent bid round for 2024 also reflects ongoing efforts to attract investment and improve operations within the sector. However, these efforts must be balanced with stringent safety measures and environmental protections to prevent and mitigate incidents like these.
As Nigeria continues to navigate its path in the global oil market, the ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies will be crucial in maintaining production levels and ensuring the safety and well-being of both personnel and local communities.
The fire at the Akaso 4 Wellhead operated by NNPC 18 Operating Limited underscores the critical need for robust emergency response mechanisms and continuous safety improvements in Nigeria's oil industry. As investigations proceed and response efforts continue, stakeholders will be keenly observing the measures taken to prevent future incidents and protect the environment.
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