A fire erupted at the Akaso 4 Wellhead, overseen by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company 18 Operating Limited in Rivers State.
This incident was confirmed in a statement by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) spokesperson, Olaide Shonola.
It has been reported that the fire ignited at approximately 11:12 PM on Friday and has since expanded to the adjacent riverbank.
By employing spill containment techniques, NNPC 18 Operating Limited swiftly mobilized an emergency response team to secure the oil well, manage the situation, and prevent environmental pollution.
Additionally, a Naval Houseboat has been stationed at the site to enhance security, while community monitoring has been set up to track the progress of the incident.
The reason behind the fire outbreak remains unknown, with a collaborative investigation among relevant entities planned to establish its root cause and impact.
Before the incident, the Akaso 4 Wellhead had not been operational significantly. This follows an ongoing issue at NNPC’s Alakiri Well 9T, which has continued to burn since February 23, 2024.
Kenyon International West Africa Company, the contractor on the site, is facing challenges with the heat extraction method and is now shifting gears to implement a total oxygen extraction tactic.
As we stay tuned for further directives from the thriving owners, a meeting with NNPC 18 Operating Limited’s management is on the cards to discuss the safety and integrity of their operations.
