The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency has reported an oil spill from Shell’s underwater pipeline in Obololi, Southern Ijaw Local Government area of Bayelsa State.

This is as it commenced the recovery of the spilled crude on Friday. The agency in a statement signed by its Director-General, Chukwuemeka Woke on Friday, said a report of the crude oil spill was received on Monday and a joint investigative visit was initiated immediately to determine the cause of the spill.

He said the leak was detected in Shell’s 16-inch Nun River-Kolo Creek pipeline, causing crude oil to spill into the River Nun, affecting communities around Obololi.

The statement read, “The agency received a report on Monday, February 17, 2025, of a crude oil spill from Shell Petroleum Development Company 16” Nun River-Kolo creek pipeline at Obololi community in Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa State.

“Following the receipt of the report as the lead agency on all matters related to oil spill incidents in Nigeria, the agency convened and held a joint investigation visit to the incident area.”

However, Woke said the exact cause of the leak remains unknown as the pipeline is submerged in water.

“The JIV was led by NOSDRA and included stakeholders such as Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, the Bayelsa Ministry of Environment, and representatives of the affected community to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident,” he said.

“The JIV aims to recommend necessary regulatory compliance actions to mitigate the spill’s impact. The cause of the spill is unknown because the suspected leak point is submerged in water, making the investigation inconclusive. SPDC is preparing a coffer dam to access the spill point.”

Woke added that containment measures were in place, with temporary storage tanks on the way.

The director-general said NOSDRA is actively monitoring the situation to ensure appropriate response actions.

“SPDC is preparing a coffer dam to enable the team to get access to the spill point. Containment of the spill area has been completed. Temporary storage tanks are in transit to the spill location; and recovery of free-phase oil will commence on Friday, February 21, 2025.

“The agency is actively monitoring the ongoing response and continuously evaluating the situation to ensure that appropriate response actions are deployed accordingly. The agency will provide further details as events unfold,” he said.

NOSDRA in its 2024 report, said 19,000 barrels of crude oil were spilled last year, which was approximately three million litres, and 95 oil tanker trucks full.

One of the spills was categorised as ‘major’. It involves “over 250 barrels spilled into inland waters or over 2,500 barrels spilled on land, swamp, shoreline, and the open sea.”

Of the 589 spills, 10 were categorised as ‘Medium’, involving “25-250 barrels spilled into inland waters, or 250-2,500 barrels spilled on land, swamp, shoreline, and the open sea.”