World · Africa · 5 hrs ago
Oil and gas eruption in eastern Niger causes severe environmental incident
An oil and gas eruption began on September 25 at an oil site in eastern Niger, about 1,700 kilometres from the capital, Niamey.
The site is operated by CNPC Niger Petroleum, a local subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation, and the incident occurred at the Goumeri W8 well in the Agadem oil block.
Crude oil and gas have surged more than ten metres into the air, then spread across the surrounding land.
No one has died, but two workers were injured and taken to hospital.
As of October 12, the eruption was partly contained but not fully under control, and the platform was badly damaged, with two nearby wells also at risk.
The government has ruled out a criminal or terrorist cause, but an independent investigation is under way with Algerian expertise to establish what happened and who is responsible.
Authorities plan steps to prevent fires, limit environmental harm and secure nearby wells, while concerns have been raised about risks to livestock, grazing land, soil and water.
An eruption of crude oil and gas has been under way since 25 September at an oil site in eastern Niger, causing extensive environmental damage.
Authorities described it as an environmental incident of exceptional severity, with oil and gas shooting more than 10 metres into the air.
The incident has caused no deaths, but two employees were injured and hospitalized.
The affected site is operated by CNPC Niger Petroleum S.A., and the platform is severely damaged, with two nearby wells also at risk.
Authorities say the situation was partly contained but not fully under control on 12 October, and an independent investigation has been opened.
- Who
- The incident occurred at a site operated by CNPC Niger Petroleum S.A., a local subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation. Two employees were injured.
- What
- Crude oil and gas erupted from a well, causing an environmental incident and damage to the site.
- When
- It began on 25 September. Authorities described the situation on 12 October.
- Where
- At the Goumeri W8 well on the Agadem oil block in eastern Niger, about 1,700 kilometres from Niamey.
- Why
- The causes have not been established. Authorities have ruled out criminal or terrorist causes.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
An eruption of crude oil and gas began at the Goumeri W8 well in eastern Niger.
The Nigerien Group for Reflection and Action on Extractive Industries expressed concern about risks to herds, pastures, soils and water resources.
The Ministry of Petroleum said the situation was partly contained but not fully under control and announced an independent investigation.
- Start date
- 25 September
- Well
- Goumeri W8
- Oil block
- Agadem
- Distance from Niamey
- About 1,700 kilometres
- Injuries
- Two employees hospitalized; no deaths
- Operator
- CNPC Niger Petroleum S.A.
What people are saying
an environmental incident of exceptional severity
As of 12 October, the situation is partly contained but not fully under control
risks to herds, pastures, soils and water resources
Sources
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