A subsidiary of Italian oil company Eni, Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), has lifted the Force Majeure it declared on expected oil output following the resumption of oil exports from its Brass oil terminal.
Force Majeure is a legal clause in a contract that releases the firm from liability due to circumstances beyond its control.
Eni’s management said in a statement issued by Domenico Spins, Media Relations Manager, that the Force Majeure was lifted on Match 18, signalling a return to normal.
“Following the restoration of the Ogoda/Brass 24″ oil pipeline at Okparatubo at Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, which was hit by blast on March 5, caused by a third-party interference, force majeure has been lifted at Brass terminal, Bonny NLNG and Okpai Power Plant effective March 18,” the management said.
There is a shortfall of 25,000 barrels of crude oil and 23 million standard cubic metres of natural gas per day from the terminal as a result of the blasts.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) confirmed that joint investigations were conducted on the two incidents that indicated sabotage occurred.
According to NOSDRA’s Director-General, Idris Musa, 20 barrels of crude oil leaked on Feb. 28 while 1,249.8 barrels were released into the environment on March 5.