Business · Energy & Commodities · 15 hrs ago
Nine oil spills release nearly 130,000 litres in Niger Delta states
Official oil spill records show that nine incidents released at least 129,855 litres of crude oil in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states between 2 August and 17 September 2026.
Seven incidents were in Delta, which accounted for nearly 90% of the spilled oil.
The largest spill was at a wellhead in Ughelli South, Delta, where more than 112,000 litres were released.
The incidents were linked to sabotage or oil theft, equipment failure, corrosion, and operational or maintenance errors.
Spills affected land, vegetation, surface water, fishing grounds and aquatic life, and investigators reported dead fish in one affected area.
The records show that about 70,000 litres were recovered from the largest spill, while about 42,000 litres remained unaccounted for in the reported figures.
The incidents add to ongoing oil pollution concerns in the Niger Delta, but no further response or cleanup plans are stated.
Nine oil spill incidents released at least 129,855 litres of crude oil across Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states between August and September 2026.
Delta State recorded seven incidents and nearly 90 per cent of the total spilled volume.
The largest incident released an estimated 112,016 litres from a wellhead in Ughelli South, Delta State.
The incidents were attributed to sabotage and oil theft, equipment failure, corrosion, and operational or maintenance errors.
Reported impacts included damage to soil, vegetation, surface water, fishing nets and aquatic life.
- Who
- Oil companies including ND Western, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and NNPC Exploration & Production Limited were associated with incidents.
- What
- Nine incidents released at least 129,855 litres of crude oil.
- When
- Between 2 August and 17 September 2026.
- Where
- Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states in Nigeria.
- Why
- Reported causes included sabotage and oil theft, equipment failure, corrosion, and operational or maintenance errors.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The earliest incident in the reported period occurred.
NNPC Exploration & Production Limited reported an equipment-related spill of 1,110 litres at Egwa Well 23 Tango in Delta State.
An estimated 112,016 litres spilled from the W14T wellhead in Ughelli South, Delta State.
A spill attributed to equipment failure occurred at Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited’s Olomoro Compressor Station in Delta State.
- Total volume
- At least 129,855 litres
- Number of incidents
- 9
- Reporting period
- 2 August–17 September 2026
- Delta incidents
- 7
- Largest incident
- Approximately 112,016 litres at the W14T wellhead in Ughelli South, Delta State
- Bayelsa spill
- Approximately 14,000 litres at Eniwari in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area
Sources
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