The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has said that the gas leak on the Well 6 of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, in Sangama community, Bonny Local Government Area in Rivers was caused by a third party interference.
NUPRC alongside the Ministry of Environment in Rivers State and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, are currently making efforts to address a gas leak incident.
On the progress recorded so far to allay the situation, the Chief Executive of NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe, said on Wednesday that the NUPRC in synergy with the agencies, community representatives, and the Nigerian Police Force were working to deal with the leak.
Komolafe, in a statement, said, “The NUPRC has been notified of a gas leak incident on NPDC’s Well 6, in Sangama community, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“Efforts are being made alongside other relevant agencies to deal with the situation.
“The incident which was reportedly observed on September 3, 2022, at about 13:30 hours, was reported by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Exploration & Production Limited on September 9, 2022.
He said that a joint visit was carried out on the site and during the visit, the team observed a gas leak from one of the valves on the wellhead, which according to him, was caused by interference.
“A joint investigation visit was carried out on September 11, by a team from NUPRC, NOSDRA, Rivers State Ministry of Environment as well as community representatives with the NPF in attendance.
“A closer look revealed that the Anode valve on the well head had been tampered with. It was adjudged by the regulators to have been caused by third party interference,” he stated.
He, however, stated that the community did not agree with the regulators and as a result, would not sign the joint investigation report in spite of the technical explanation by the team.
The NUPRC boss further stated that after an extensive discussion, all stakeholders eventually signed the incident report.
