Shell Begins Clean-up of Massive Oil Spill

Shell Begins Clean-up of Massive Oil Spill

Shell says it would today, Friday deploy two aircraft to support the five ships it had already deployed to apply dispersant and maintain constant surveillance after the worst oil leak in Nigeria in a decade.

Shell said on Thursday, that an investigation by a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and analysis based on a combination of satellite pictures, photos from aerial surveillance, infra-red cameras and direct observations from vessels has indicated that the oil leak from its Bonga offshore facility remains offshore and is thinning and breaking up.

The Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, said in a statement last night that the sheen had “thinned considerably due to a combination of natural factors and dispersant application, and in places is breaking up, all of which should aid further dissipation”.

Sunmonu, said that one aircraft was already in the field on spill surveillance duty, while more equipment and vessels were being mobilised. “We have brought in additional oil spill response experts and marine life experts to assist in the overall effort,” he said.

He said another significant development was that the company had identified the source of the leak as a failure in a flexible export line and expressed appreciation to other oil companies and government agencies for their ongoing support to mitigate the impact of the leak.

“Since Tuesday, when we became aware of this regrettable leak at our Bonga offshore facility, substantial progress has been made in mitigating the consequences.” He said

Sunmonu stated that the company would continue with its efforts to protect the coastline, adding that a sizable mitigation operation was underway to protect sensitive areas.

Shell had earlier assessed that up to 50 per cent of the leaked oil had dissipated due to natural dispersion and evaporation. The company also acknowledged that as satellite pictures had shown, the overall area covered by the sheen was large. 

Earlier, the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology had charged the oil giant to immediately take necessary steps to halt the spill, as well as ensure that it quickly cleans up the affected areas.

NP/Cokey