There is growing apprehension throughout the Niger Delta region regarding the numerous abandoned oil wells and neglected infrastructure of multinational oil companies. Experts express serious concerns about the potential health and environmental hazards posed to oil-producing communities.
In Akwa Ibom State, more than 32 oil wells are reported to have been abandoned in the Oko, Okoroette, and Utapete communities. Additionally, the onshore oilfield in Oloibiri, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has been deserted with approximately 21.26 million barrels of hydrocarbons.
Environmental expert Dr. Nninmo Bassey emphasizes the need for the decommissioning of various well-heads, manifolds, flow stations, and pipelines across the Niger Delta that have been left unused and unattended for decades. Bassey expresses worry over the state of these abandoned oil wells and aging infrastructure of international oil companies (IOCs), urging them to consider the environment and the well-being of the local residents.
Bassey points out that Nigerian laws mandate the proper decommissioning and removal of all unused oil facilities according to international standards, but these requirements are often overlooked. He describes the situation as ticking time bombs that have already started to explode, citing incidents such as the Aiteo’s Nembe/Santa Barbara Well-1 blowout and the explosion and sinking of the Trinity Spirit Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FSPO) vessel in February 2022.
Bassey also highlights instances of neglected well-head leaks, including the Ororo-1 well fire in Ondo state, and criticizes the federal government’s heavy dependence on IOCs. He contends that this dependency has deepened the dysfunctionality of the petroleum sector and empowered IOCs to engage in irresponsible corporate behavior, rendering regulatory agencies either impotent or complicit. Bassey urges the government to address this concerning trend, not only in the oil and gas sector but also in the solid minerals sector, citing abandoned tin mines in Jos and coal mines in Enugu.