The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has reported a significant crackdown on oil theft operations, resulting in the seizure of 63 illegal refineries within a single week. This action is part of NNPC’s broader effort to combat oil theft and ensure the security of Nigeria’s oil resources.
According to NNPC’s weekly documentary, “Energy and YOU,” the company recorded a total of 177 incidents related to oil theft between August 3 and August 9. The incidents were reported by various sources: Tantita Security Services identified four cases, Shell Petroleum Development Company reported 11, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited noted 26, and Maton Engineering Company documented 20. Additionally, NNPC 18 Operating Ltd reported one case, the NNPC Command and Control Centre recorded 51 incidents, and government security agencies reported 64 cases.
During the week, NNPC also recovered 19 illegal pipeline connections and conducted repairs across Bayelsa and Rivers States. The operation resulted in the discovery and confiscation of 63 illegal refineries across Bayelsa, Rivers, Abia, Imo, and Delta States. A vandalized barricaded oil wellhead was also found in Bayelsa State.
The state-owned oil company also reported the discovery of stolen crude in oil reservoirs in Rivers State and the arrest of 17 individuals in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom States. Additionally, 15 wooden boats used for transporting stolen crude were confiscated in Rivers and Bayelsa States. The breakdown of incidents showed that 51 occurred in deep blue waters, 21 in the western region, 29 in the central region, and 76 in the eastern region.
The recent operations have led to the arrest of 16 suspects in connection with the theft incidents reported within the past week.
Oil theft has been a significant issue for Nigeria, severely impacting the nation’s crude oil industry. In 2023, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu stated that Nigeria lost 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) to theft. Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva reported a loss of at least 700,000 bpd in 2022, surpassing losses in other oil-producing countries facing similar challenges, such as Venezuela, Iraq, Mexico, and Malaysia.
Tony Elumelu, chairman of Heirs Holdings, has called for greater transparency regarding oil theft, questioning why the government and security agencies have not disclosed those responsible for stealing Nigeria’s crude oil, particularly given the use of vessels that traverse the country’s territorial waters. He noted that theft is a major factor contributing to the divestment of international oil companies from Nigeria and highlighted the substantial impact of theft on daily oil production.
