Trans Forcados pipelineTrans Forcados pipeline (also referred to as Trans-Forcados pipeline, Trans Forcados oil pipeline) is a major oil pipeline in Nigeria's Niger Delta. The 48-inch, underwater pipeline spans across 87-kilometres and has a capacity of over 200,000 to 240,000 barrels of oil per day.[1][2] It transports oil, water and associated gas from fields in the western delta to the Forcados oil terminal.[3] It is operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and belongs to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).[4] IncidentsIn January 2015, Trans Forcados pipeline was vandalised at Oteghele axis in Bayelsa State and caused a crude oil spill in the area.[5] In February 2016, Trans Forcados was shut down after it was bombed by the Niger Delta Avengers. It was first attack on a Nigerian subsea pipeline.[6] After repairs were carried out, a militant attack affected its loading program in October 2016.[7] In July 2017, BusinessDay reported that the pipeline was being shut down for the third time in one month.[8] In May 2018, Trans Forcados shut down for repairs of a minor leak.[9] The Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation disclosed that more than $32 million was spent this year on repairs to the pipeline in 2018. On May 19, 2019, a fire incident was reported at the crude oil spill site along the Trans Forcados pipeline in Yeye community.[10] The fire raged till May 21, 2019.[11] Operations were resumed on May 24, 2019.[12] References
|
