The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) announced that it found and seized an additional 63 illegal refineries in the past week.
This revelation was made in a recent documentary on combatting oil theft.
The NNPCL reported that 63 illegal refineries were uncovered and confiscated in Bayelsa, Rivers, Abia, Imo, and Delta States.
The state-owned company stated that, from August 3 to 9, 2024, security forces documented approximately 177 oil theft cases, including Tantita Security Services and others.
The company noted that 19 illegal pipeline connections were dismantled during the same period, and some underwent repairs across various locations in Bayelsa and Rivers states.
Additionally, NNPCL disclosed the discovery of a vandalised barricaded oil wellhead in Bayelsa State.
It was revealed that stolen crude was found in oil reservoirs in Rivers State.
The NNPCL said 17 vehicular arrests were made in communities in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom states.
The company mentioned that 15 wooden boats transporting stolen crude were seized in Rivers and Bayelsa states.
The energy company confirmed that 51 of these incidents occurred in deep blue water, 21 in the western region, 29 in the central region, and 76 in the eastern region.
In June, the company uncovered 165 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region.
This situation contributes to Nigeria’s revenue depletion due to oil theft losses.
In July, the country’s crude oil production stood at 1.3 million barrels per day, falling short of the 1.5 million barrels per day quota set by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, recently urged the military to continue the fight against crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
