NNPC: Our Seismic Work Not Responsible for NLNG Pipeline Explosion

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday said that seismic work being conducted by its subsidiary, the Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL) could not be linked to the pipeline explosion which affected one of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) pipeline in Emohua area of Rivers State because the site of its operation was 798 metres away from the blast site.

NNPC, in a statement by its Group General Manager Public Affairs, Ndu Ughamadu, said IDSL's operation crew which was engaged in acquiring seismic data for Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 17/22 ROBO 3D prospect, observed approved safe distance standards contained in the Department of Petroleum Resources’ (DPR) regulations and as such could not be the cause of the blast.

NLNG had earlier said that an explosion occurred in the afternoon of February 22, 2017 on a section of the Right of Way housing two gas transmission pipelines, one of which belongs to it.

But the IDSL said in the NNPC's statement: "Our activities involve the use of seismic explosives of size 2kg and detonators. The drilled and exploded depth is 45 metres. At this depth, the effect on the surface cannot affect any structure."

It further explained: "The suspected gas leakage on the gas pipeline between Eveku and Rumodogo 1 communities in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State of February 22, 2017 was not caused and cannot be caused by NNPC, IDSL Party 05 seismic operations. Our closest activity around the incident area yesterday was 798 metres away from the pipeline."

It noted that as a responsible corporate body, the IDSL crew on operation in Emohua observed to the letter, DPR’s regulations governing such activities which include maintaining a minimum distance of 25 metres from tarmac roads, 50 metres from houses, 100 metres from pipelines, and a minimum distance of 200 metres from well heads or oil wells.