Operations have resumed at the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo Community, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, owned by Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings, following a fire incident on Monday night.
A company spokesman, speaking anonymously, told our correspondent on Wednesday that the pipeline had undergone testing and passed the integrity assessment, confirming that no explosion had occurred at the facility.
“The pipeline is back in operation. First, there were no blasts or explosions at our facilities. We detected unauthorized access to the site and dispatched a team to investigate. Upon arrival, they found evidence of attempted excavation and arson, but the fire had already burned out.
An adjacent pipeline was inspected and tested, and it passed the integrity test. It appears operations were redirected through that pipeline. As of now, operations are ongoing,” the spokesman explained.
The Trans Niger Pipeline transports 450,000 barrels of crude oil per day to the Bonny Export Terminal through a network of pipelines.
Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings recently finalized a landmark transaction with Shell, acquiring its entire equity stake in the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria.
Reports of an explosion on the pipeline were among the factors that led President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Confirming the incident on Tuesday, Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, stated that the fire was discovered on Monday night during a security patrol.
She said Renaissance was immediately alerted, prompting the company to shut down the affected pipeline and implement safety measures.
Assuring that there was no further threat to residents or the environment, the PPRO also revealed that two individuals had been arrested for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation into the cause of the incident.
