DMEA: Nigeria reports 121 incidents involving crude theft

The Nigerian National Petroleum Co. Ltd. (NNPCL) reported 121 incidents involving crude theft between July 29 and August 4 in 2023, according to the NNPCL’s Energy series.

Aired on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) network, the report showed that incidents mostly occurred in areas such as the Delta, Rivers, Byelsa and Imo states.

The series noted that the crude thefts involved: “24 illegal connections, 52 illegal refineries, 6 incidents of pipeline vandalism, 26 confiscated wooden boats, 12 vessel AIS infractions, 1 oil spill and 1 illegal vessel.”

The incidents were located mostly within the Niger Delta, a region that often underreports crimes involving crude theft and fuel smuggling. Energy series additionally mentioned key sources involved, which included companies such as the: Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd., Maton Engineering Nigeria Ltd., GSIA, NNPCL Command and Control Center, Tantita Security and the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).