The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd (NNPCL) announced today that a significant crackdown on illegal oil refineries and vandalism in the Niger Delta region has resulted in the destruction of 165 facilities refining stolen crude oil.
Additionally, around 400 incidents of oil theft and vandalism were reported by both government and private security agencies in the region last week.
According to NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari, the corporation, in collaboration with the Nigerian military, conducted operations in the Niger Delta to tackle the issue of oil theft and vandalism. During these operations, 39 unauthorized pipeline connections were also eliminated.
This development comes after Nigerian Senator Ned Nwoko previously reported that the country lost over $3 billion last year due to increasing oil theft and pipeline attacks.
Nigeria is home to approximately 37 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, accounting for 3.1% of the world’s reserves, and is ranked among the top 15 countries in crude oil production.
However, the Niger Delta region has long been plagued by armed groups carrying out sabotage and kidnapping incidents, leading to conflicts and disruptions in oil production.
Despite this, Nigeria remains the 10th largest oil reserve holder and sixth largest oil exporter globally.
