Home › Oil & Gas       November 26, 2021

Nembe Oil Spill: Aiteo Deploys Clean Up Equipment (Video)

Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO), operator of the NNPC / Aìteo Joint Venture on OML 29, has reached an advanced stage to cap the broken wellhead at its Santa Barbara, Southwest field, in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

It also on Wednesday assured the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, that the gushing wellhead would be secured within 48 hrs in view of the progress its team of technical experts have made.

A statement by Victor Okoronkwo, GMD, Aiteo Eastern E & P Company Ltd, on Thursday, said the containment exercise continues, with booms and environmental barges mopping up spilled crude.

It added that all relevant personnel and experts, local and international are now on location, adding that marine spread carrying the pumps, chemicals, cranes and firefighting equipment are 100% mobilised and have started to sail to location.

Chief Operations Officer, Ewarezi Useh who debriefed the Minister on the pre-kill well assessment by Boots & Coots, assured that the well would be secured within 48 hours of his visit.

The statement reads: “Following the visitation of the Honourable minister of state for petroleum, Timipre Sylva and other dignitaries to take stock of the situation at ground zero yesterday, ongoing efforts are being undertaken to cap the well at its Santa Barbara, Southwest field, in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

“The Honourable minister, Timipre Silva had detailed discussions with the Aiteo intervention team on ground, led by its Chief Operations Officer, Ewarezi Useh who debriefed him on the pre-kill well assessment by Boots & Coots, assuring him that the well would be secured within 48 hours of his visit.

“Afterwards, he had a town hall meeting with the Opu-Nembe Kingdom where he and other leaders of regulatory agencies held a detailed interaction with the people.

“Together with the company they assured them that their concerns and grievances will be addressed, while investigations take off upon the killing of the well.

“The containment exercise continues, with booms and environmental barges mopping up spilled crude. All relevant personnel and experts, local and international are now on location. The marine spread carrying the pumps, chemicals, cranes and firefighting equipment are 100% mobilized and have started to sail to location.

“The crew will night stop at KM45 and take off again first light tomorrow with ETA 12noon on site 2 x 1000MT Ramp barge containing simulation equipment for the well kill also sailed today while sailing, concurrent activities are ongoing on the barges to minimize clean up downtime, (spotting and hook up of hoses).

“At SBAS-1 the well control package was transferred onto the well platform and the crew carried out an inspection with the Xmas tree and identified THS (tubing Head Spool) to be 2-1/16”. We commenced RU (rig up) but could not finish due to bad weather. Forward plan complete RU and install a well control package to arrest the flow.

Giving a specific update, on site Status/Fire Status in Well & Vicinity, the statement said there is currently no fire at or within the vicinity of the well.

The Environmental Impact Assessment in the vicinity of the area is in the planning phase with DPR / NOSDRA accredited firms.

On its update on efforts to kill the well, it stated:

On Relief and Recovery, it further said:

Video: AF24 News
Report Credit: The Will

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