Stolen crude oil recovered from Niger Delta Creeks

9,856.1 BARRELS OF STOLEN CRUDE, 1,339,000 litres of illegally refined diesel, and 500,000 litres of kerosene have been recovered by military troops deployed against oil bunkering operators in the Niger Delta creeks according to the Defense Headquarters (DHQ) through John Enenche, a major general and coordinator, Defense media operations.

He disclosed that no fewer than 13 illegal refineries were demolished in the course of the operation conducted by the squad, with 24 suspects arrested.

He said further: “Between 14th and 20th of January 2021, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted anticrude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering operations as well as other anti-illegal maritime activities. In the course of their operational activities, 6 illegal refining sites, 11 wooden boats, 52 Gee Pee tanks, 102 metal tanks, 17 dugout pits and 45 ovens were immobilized. Also, 24 suspects arrested while 14 pumping machines, 2 speed boats and 13 outboard engines were recovered. Additionally, a total of 9,856.1 barrels of stolen crude oil and 1,339,000 litres of illegally refined AGO as well as 500,000 litre of DPK were recovered.”

Nigeria over the years has witnessed huge losses to oil theft. In 2017 the United Nations Security Council estimated that Nigeria lost $2.8 billion of revenue to oil theft.

Within the first six months of last year Nigeria lost $1.35 billion to oil theft, and in May of the same year the military dismantled illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta region which held 174 ovens laden with about 14,434 barrels of suspected stolen crude oil.

Although the nation currently has four conventional refineries primarily operated and controlled by the federal government under the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), none functions above 60 per cent of its designed capacity.

In an attempt to proffer solutions that will cushion this cumbersome worry, the country has opted for the setting up of modular refineries around the country to help increase refining capacity and curb losses the accrue from incessant cases of oil theft within its creeks.