OIL THEFT: Tompolo, NNPC Unearth How Illegal Bunkers Tap 48inch Export Line In Delta

The vandalized flow station

"The NNPC had been on its toes trying to bring stability to the host communities which has been very helpful in ensuring that all oil and gas facilities are secured especially the one that has to do with "crude evacuation." Buturawa.

Tantita Security, an outfit owned by High Chief Oweizide Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC today unearthed how illegal bunkers tapped into a 48 inch export trunk-line operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company.

NNPC's Group CEO, Mr. Mele Kyari disclosed this in a newsmen at Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

Kyari, who was represented by the General Manager, Joint Venture Operations (NAPIMS), Zakariya Butuwara noted that the illegal bunkerers ferry Crude to sea for loading and movement out of the Country with their own ship.

He said; "the perpetrators of this organize crime had tapped into Shell's 48 inch export line. The crude had been cleaned up."

While noting that the trunkline is expensive, Buturawa said, "They tapped into it. The place was initially filled with water. They were able to connect their own pipe under the water. 

According to Buturawa, "We throtted the line with bare feet to the point where it was tapped. We had to create two damps on either sides of the pipes so that the water contained can be pumped out. For  days, we pumped the water out before the illegality was exposed. 

"Now that it has happened, if you see the rizer behind me, that rizer is operated by another Joint Venture Company called Agip. They have not been using it. So, these illegal fellows, what they try to do was that this oil field actually belong to Agip and they piped crude to the Beniboye flow station. So, instead of piping to the flow station, these smart boys in the room out there export crude."

"That particular jacket you are seeing out there, is a very bold one. Somehow somewhere, they fix it into the ship they brought. Like I continue to say, they are always smart but they are not smarter than the NNPC and they are not smarter than Tantita Security."

Buturawa appealed to the illegal bunkerers to stop their criminal businesses and join hands with the NNPC to make Nigeria a better place.

Buturawa noted that the NNPC had been on its toes trying to bring stability to the host communities which has been very helpful in ensuring that all oil and gas facilities are secured especially the one that has to do with "crude evacuation."

While commending the security Operatives and the Tantita Security Services Limited for the great jobs they are doing, Buturawa said, "All these we are doing to assure Nigerians that we are doing something to curb the menace of crude oil theft with its impact on the people and environment.