Eroton Exploration & Production Company confirmed a wellhead fire incident at the Akaso field of the Cawthrone Channel operational area of its OML 18 asset last weekend.
According to the company’s spokesperson, Mercy Max-Ebibai, the well is reported to be releasing hydrocarbons into the environment and causing wildfires due to suspected vandalism and bunkering activity on the XMAS Tree containment valves of the wellhead.
“An oil-laden wooden boat was initially observed in the vicinity, and a loud bang was also reported. This resulted in the fires drifting to two wellheads, only one of which is still aflame at the point of reporting. The Akaso6LS fire has died out, but the Akaso15L fire is still burning,” Max-Ebibai explained.
Furthermore, Mrs Max-Ebibai added that an Emergency Response Team (ERT) has been convened and the company’s well control engineers are working with an experienced wild well control vendor who has been contracted to carry out an assessment of the current wild well fire situation, design a technical solution and fire fighting strategy.
The spokesperson also confirmed that all regulatory obligations have been adhered to with the relevant authorities duly notified within the allowed window and that they are working closely with the relevant authorities to investigate the cause of the incident and determine the extent of the damage.
According to the spokesperson, the safety and well-being of the company’s employees and host communities are their top priorities.
“We continue to appreciate the effort of the authorities, and the entire oil and gas industry to stem these incessant, unfortunate, and expensive incidents”, the company added.
