The explosion of a Nigerian oil tanker brings fear of massive losses | Oil and Gas Issues
Although the damage is still unknown, the boat is capable of producing 22,000 barrels of oil per day and storing up to 2 million tons of oil.
Two million barreled oil tankers have exploded off the coast of Nigeria’s southern Delta, sparking fears of a natural disaster and worries about the future of the crew.
Shebah Exploration & Production Company Ltd (SEPCOL) said Thursday that flames had angered the spirit of the Trinity following the blast the day before. A floating, storage and unloading vessel can handle up to 22,000 barrels of oil per day, according to the operating page.
Photographs published by local media showed black smoke rising from a sinking ship that caught fire.
VIDEO: SEPCOL oil tanker explodes in Niger Delta pic.twitter.com/5X37nbXXVU
– TheCable (@thecableng) February 3, 2022
The ship was in the Ukpokiti Terminal, off the coast of the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
Joe Sunday, an assistant captain, said he was one of two boats speeding on Wednesday morning to pick up other passengers who were supposed to leave work but could not reach the ship because it had caught fire.
“We walked around to see if we could see people but we did not see anyone and the fire was burning,” Sunday told Reuters at Warri port.
Tiby Tea, chairman of the Maritime Union for Nigerian Ports Authority in Warri, confirmed that the two boats sent to the ship had not been found.
“So far no casualties have been reported but we can confirm that there were 10 crew members on board before,” SEPCOL Chief Executive Officer Ikemefuna Okafor said in a statement.
Investigations have been carried out to determine the cause of the crash, he said, adding that the company is trying to “keep things in perspective”.
Fear can lose fat
The Nigerian Ministry of Land Affairs, NUPRC, said the blast caused “huge fire” and “began investigating the incident”.
“The Commission will take action to ensure that all safety and environmental measures … to protect lives and the environment are put in place,” spokesman Paul Osu said.
Idris Musa, director of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency in Nigeria (NOSDRA), told AFP that they were also present to respond to the incident.
However, environmentalists were concerned about what might happen.
“It’s going to end,” said Mike Karikpo of the local NGO, Environmental Rights Action / Friends of the Earth Nigeria.
“This is a place that carries more than 20,000 barrels a day … the oil reaches the surrounding areas.”
Nigerian government ulumira urgent reminder “WE ARE NOT EATING OIL, NOT DRINKING OIL” is a matter of concern and now is the time to keep “OIL IN WORK” – Most #sear oil they should be kept secret to avoid accidents. #ClimateActionNow # Fridays4Future pic.twitter.com/lIA6REPkBu
– Mr. Climate🌱 (@OlumideIDOWU) February 4, 2022
Since the 1970’s, the oil-rich region of the Niger Delta has been a major source of income for Nigeria.
But the circuit he continues to suffer the escalation of the effects of environmental degradation for decades, which have disrupted human life and prevented access to basic services such as access to safe drinking water. The mangrove trees and wetlands of the region have become uninhabitable for many species and most people expect to live 10 years in the Delta more than anywhere else in Nigeria.
Although Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa, operating costs are high due to frequent accidents and insecurity, although many accidents occur on land.
There have also been attacks on oil deposits in the past, drilling pipelines to get crude oil and more and more people for ransom.
Nigerian pirates are also operating throughout the Gulf of Guinea, which is rich in resources, disrupting ships in a vast area from Senegal to Angola.
