An explosion carried out by suspected vandals on a gas pipeline belonging to Nigeria Agip Oil Company (AGIP)in Bayelsa has allegedly reduced export feed to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) company by about five million Standard Cubic Metres per day (MMSCM/d).
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| Pipeline Explosion |
The explosion spread panic around Bayelsa Palm road, Yenagoa, the state capital on Tuesday following gas leakage from the pipeline.
According to sources, loud explosion suspected to be ignited by dynamite was heard Monday night at about 11 pm and by Tuesday there was massive gas being released to the atmosphere from the site of the pipeline which is about 300 metres from the Bayelsa Palm road.
A close look at the ruptured pipeline indicated that there was a battery and wire, suggesting an explosive was detonated.
The Head of Field Operations, Niger Delta Resources Center of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria( ERA/FoEN, Mr Morris Alagoa who spoke to journalists at the site said the current leakage is the second time an incident like this would be happening at the site.
He said: “It has been a recurring incident again and again. There are giant anthills on the AGIP pipeline which might also help the people to sabotage the system even in the afternoon to burst the pipeline because it will serve as a cover for the perpetrators.
“And this is raw gas coming out from the geological formation. Knowing that from the formation we have water, oil and gas from several wells being channelled to wherever they are channeling it to which even makes it more dangerous than gas flare in terms of impact on health.” PMNews
