By Oluwayemi Davidson, Warri
Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and CNL has disowned an alleged oil spill from its assets in some Delta communities in Warri South West Local Government Area.
In a press release signed by its General Manager, Policy Government and Public Affairs, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, and made available to journalists in Warri on Monday, Chevron stated that it is aware of a report in the media and some communities about an alleged oil spill from Abiteye, Makaraba and Utonana Fields in CNL’s western area of operations, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
Chevron explained that it “has investigated and continues to survey its assets in the Abiteye and Utonana Fields including the 16” Makaraba-Utonana-Abiteye Right of Way (ROW) and confirms that there has not been any indication that the oil sheen on water is from its Assets in Abiteye, Makaraba and Utonana fields or from any other CNL facilities as alleged”.
Esimaje Brikinn, CNL’s General Manager Policy, Government and Public Affairs, while reacting to the issue declared saying “we take incidents of oil spill seriously”.
He said, “Our surveillance programme is an ongoing exercise engrained in our processes; and we respond to every report of a spill by following established industry regulatory processes, including engagements with communities and regulators, and Joint Investigation Visits (JIV), to determine source, cause and impact of such spills. These are ongoing in the current case”.
He added that after the initial report of an alleged spill in the area, CNL conducted an overflight of the area with the regulators, Department of Petroleum Resources and National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, and it was confirmed that there has been no spill emanating from any CNL’s assets in the area.
“We continue to engage the communities and communicate our findings concerning the alleged spill to the leadership of the community stakeholders. CNL operates in strict compliance with relevant laws and regulations governing the Nigerian petroleum industry and remains committed to the protection of people and the environment. We will continue to conduct our operations reliably and efficiently, with utmost consideration for environmental protection”, he concluded.