Again, last night,Niger Delta militants destroyed Chevron’s crude oil pipeline located at Abiteye in Warri South West Local Government of Delta State, forcing the company to shut in crude oil output from some fields in the western Niger Delta.
According to reports, the militants arrived at the spot about 10 pm in two boats, bombed the crude oil pipeline, the company’s major trunk used to convey oil for export. Army and Navy personnel deployed in the area, according to sources, put up no resistance to the attack.
The attack was a major blow to the operations of Chevron, projecting that the company might reduce drastically its activities as a result of the incident. No group has, however, claimed responsibly but it is believed in security and industry circles that it was carried out by the Niger Delta Avengers.
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Yesterday’s incident was the third in three weeks by the militants on Chevron facilities. Volume of crude oil that was shut in could not be disclosed but it was gathered that the incident might also affect an early supply of crude oil to the Warri refinery operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Chevron was, however, silent about the incident yesterday as the company’s spokeswoman in the United States told Reuters that it was against company policy to comment on the safety and security of personnel and operations.
Also when contacted on his mobile phone, Chevron Nigeria’s General Manager in charge of Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), Mr. Deji Haastrup, told THISDAY that the company would not respond to the attack
“We are not making any comments at this time,” Haastrup said.
