Shell Nigeria has shut down the 240,000 barrels per day Trans Forcados pipeline over a fire incident which broke out on Sunday.
Shell manages the crude export pipeline, while Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited operates the pipeline.
Despite the fire, Shell did not declare a force majeure on crude exports from the pipeline.
The fire, which started due to leaks from the ageing pipeline, is still on as at Tuesday.
The fire occurred at a spill site along the pipeline in the Chanomi Creeks in Yeye community of Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
Mr Sylvester Okoh, General Manager Community Relations, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited, operator of the crude pipeline, while clearing the information to Energy and maritime reporters in Port Harcourt, confirmed that the incident actually took place.
At about 11:00 pm on May 19, 2019, a fire incident was reported at the crude oil spill site along the Trans Forcados pipeline around Yeye community.
It was gathered that the fire occurred due to excessive heat from a pumping machine which was being used to transfer crude oil from the spill site into a barge.
The fire was reported to have destroyed some equipment at the scene.
The houseboat and gunboats were safely relocated from the scene of the fire incident so that it will not escalate to other parts of Niger Delta.
At the same vein, Mr Evans Etimigba of the Chartered Peace Reconciliator in the Niger Delta has expressed fear that the fire might probably spread to other parts of the community if not put out.
