Oil spill is a common fallout of oil exploitation and exploitation in the niger delta region, with an estimated total of over 7000 oil spill incidents reported over a 50year period. Director, centre for niger delta studies of the same institution. National coalition on gas flaring and oil spills in the niger delta research team ibaba samuel ibaba dr. Niger delta still blighted by oil spills big oil spills are common in the niger delta where over 40 million liters of crude oil is spilled annually, resulting in human. Causes and terrain of oil spillage in niger delta region of. Its economic benefits are countless, but all in all, oil spill in nigeria is a common occurrence. May 29, 2010 estimates put spill volumes in the niger delta among the worst on the planet, but they do not include the crude oil from waste water and gas flares.
Oil communities have been at the receiving end of this environmental problem. From 2011, shell reported 1,010 spills, with 110,535 barrels or 17. These negative impact of this oil activities includes destruction of wild life, lost of fertile soil, pollution of air and water and damage to the. The niger delta region is the oil producing area of nigeria, which consists of highly diverse ecosystems that are supportive of numerous species of terrestrial and aquatic fauna and flora.
Oil spill problems and management in the niger delta. Pdf the coastal area of the niger delta is the home to oil explorations and exploitations in nigeria. Today, there are about 606 oil fields in the niger delta, of which 360 are onshore and 246 offshore. In 1956, royal dutch shell discovered crude oil at oloibiri, a village in the niger delta, and commercial production began in 1958. Niger delta region, more than any other part of nigeria. The niger delta region is the oil producing area of nigeria, which consists of highly diverse ecosystems that are supportive of numerous. Mar 26, 2019 the campaign group said the companies irresponsible approach to oil spills had worsened the environmental crisis in the niger delta, an allegation both companies have since denied.
Crude oil spills endanger fish hatcheries in coastal water and also contaminate valuable fish. The main sources of oil spill on the niger delta are. In nigeria the company that operates the pipeline or well from which the oil is spilled is responsible. Since 2014 eni has reported 820 spills in the niger delta, with 26,286 barrels or 4. The oil spills in the niger delta region have acute and longterm effects on human health. Ibaba samuel ibaba is a senior lecturer with the department of political science, niger delta university, bayelsa state, nigeria. Hydrocarbon oil spill cleanup and remediation in the niger delta. Nigerian army was not able to provide security for shell pipelines. About 25% of total spills in niger delta between 1976 and 1999 was in. New analysis from an independent expert found that socalled official investigation reports into the cause of oil spills in the niger delta can be very subjective, misleading and downright false. Investigating these matters can also expose serious gaps in the management system for control of oil spill in the niger delta region of nigeria. Oil spill, a common outcome of oil exploration and exploitation in the niger delta region has an estimated spillage incident of over. Corrosion of pipes and tanks also accounts for such a high percentage of all spills due to the small size of the oilfields in the niger delta. The human health implications of crude oil spills in the.
Effects of oil spills on fish production in the niger delta. Management of oil spillage in the niger delta region of nigeria. The unep environmental assessment of ogoniland shell. Oil spills might take several months or even years to clean up. There are indications that oil spillage, occasioned by sabotage and other factors have dropped in the niger delta by 27.
The coastal area of the niger delta is the home to oil explorations and exploitations in nigeria. Impacts and management of oil spill pollution along the. Impacts and effects of oil spillage in niger delta nigeria. Sep 04, 2017 the state of the niger delta oil spill the niger delta, spanning 70,000 square kilometers equivalent to 7. Shells false claims on niger delta oil spills exposed. Effects of oil spills on fish production in the niger delta plos.
Vegetation in the niger delta comprises of extensive mangrove forests, rainforests, and brackish swamp forests. Indeed, it is one of the most significant environmental problems facing niger delta nigeria. This has been raised with the national assembly during consultations for the amendment of the nosdra act, even though it is recognized that the agencys mandate is not restricted to the niger delta. Pdf oil spill problems and management in the niger delta.
Oil spills in the niger delta issues of governance. Many oil companies, including international oil companies, iocs. Evaluation of the impacts of oil spill disaster on communities and its influence on restiveness in niger delta, nigeria author links open overlay panel oshienemen n. Since 2012, spdc has worked with the international union for conservation of nature to assess how best to approach the remediation and rehabilitation of oil spill sites within spdcs areas of operation in the niger delta and to assess the companys procedures for undertaking such work. The objectives are to determine the quantity of oil spilled from pipelines, the area of coverage and to assess the effects of oil spillage on the people, soil and water. Short of a policing or military or paramilitary defence of the pipelines, it is my judgment that. Sep 17, 2012 the largest contributor to the oil spill total, is the rupturing or leaking of production infrastructures that are described as very old and lack regular inspection and maintenance. Oil spillage is one of the greatest environmental problems, nigeria is currently battling with especially in the niger delta region. Oil spills in the niger delta extent of the problem. Regulatory aspects the oil industry is subject to a number of specific federal laws in nigeria, including the oil pipelines act, the petroleum drilling and production regulations 14, and the petroleum act 15. These oilproducing communities in nigeria have faced the brunt of this environmental problem. Environmental impact assessment of oil and gas industry in by. Evaluation of the impacts of oil spill disaster on. The effect of oilspillage on the soil of eleme in rivers.
Dere which shell said it had cleaned in 2012, researchers saw soil soaked with crude oil. Material relief and immediate and longterm medical care are recommended, irrespective of the cause of the spill, to ensure that the potential health effects of exposures to the spills are properly addressed. The report highlights systemic weaknesses in the way the cause of a spill and the volume are determined with some significant errors in the. A key priority for shell is to achieve the goal of no.
Negligence in the niger delta amnesty international usa. The large expanses of mangrove forests are estimated to cover more than 5,000 km. In the niger delta, amidst the wild lands and individuals, 2. Oil spills in the niger delta 2636 2011, contentuploads201704afr440182011en. Niger delta oil spill cleanup launched but could take quarter of a century read more crucially, oil spills that occurred while the mother was still pregnant had no effect on child or neonatal. This increases demand for suitable systems to address the issue of oil spill in the niger delta region of nigeria by the government and oil industries. Assessment of oil spill impact on the niger delta environment using egbematoro 1 in southern ijaw as a case study was conducted. Environmental impact of oil spillage and degradation in the niger delta region of nigeria ikemikedolfinaolaitari bsc, m.
Approximately 90% of nigeria s exports, and 75% of the consolidated budgetary revenue comes from oil and gas, the majority of which comes from the niger delta. These oil producing communities in nigeria have faced the brunt of this environmental problem. The state of the niger delta oil spill the borgen project. Impacts and management of oil spill pollution along the nigerian. Oil exploration and activities have been concentrated in this niger delta region which has over production oil wells and over 47,000 km of oil and gas flow lines ngobiri et al. The effect of crude oil spill on the surface water of the lower niger. Negligence in the niger delta amnesty international. The pollution dates back at least to 2009 when a large fire and spill occurred at. According to nigerian government regulations, the oil companies, accompanied by government and community representatives, are supposed to visit each oil spill in order to assess key information. Cnna major new inquiry into oil companies operating in the. Amnesty accuses shell of making false claims on niger delta oil spill. In nigeria, the oil industry is considered to be the largest sector and main generator of gdp in africas most populous nation. Agip, among others, operate both onshore and offshore oil facilities in the. Impacts and management of oil spill pollution along the nigerian coastal areas peter c.
Data gathered by amnesty internationals decoders reveals the extraordinary scale of oil pollution in the niger delta, and the high frequency of spills. This study examined the effects of oil spillage on the socioeconomic activities of the people and the environment in some communities in the niger delta. This information is then put into a joint investigation visit jiv report. Major new inquiry into oil spills in nigerias niger delta. The niger delta suffers from an epidemic of oil spills. According to ikporukpo, 2000, 98% of the transportation of crude oil in nigeria, take place within the niger delta region because of the numerous oil fields, flow stations and terminals, through which crude oil flows.
When an oil spill occurs in the niger delta, a joint investigation team should be mobilized to visit the site. Irrespective of cause, the spdc jv cleans up and remediates areas affected by spills originating from its facilities. Shells false claims about oil spill response in the niger delta 5 outside the perimeter of the bomu manifold at kegbara dere k. This study examines the effects of oil spills on fish production in the niger delta of nigeria from 19812015. Major new inquiry into oil spills in nigerias niger. Oil spill sites in niger delta states in 2015 source. The niger delta is an area of intensive and extensive crude oil exploration, exploitation and production and there are industrial installations like. The joint investigation team includes representatives of. Many community representatives complain they need to be located in the niger delta closer to sites of oil spills to strengthen their response. This research concluded that despite the promulgated environmental regulations and eia regime, the unsustainable manner of oil and gas operations in the niger delta keeps. This paper examines the environmental impact of oil spillage and degradation in the niger delta region of nigeria.
In the niger delta, oil spill is perceived to be a major consequence of an inordinate exploita tion of petroleum resources in the region. Sep 06, 2018 oil spills might take several months or even years to clean up. The management of oil spillage in the niger delta region of nigeria a dissertation submitted in part fulfilment of msc environmental management. Nov 06, 2017 niger delta oil spill cleanup launched but could take quarter of a century read more crucially, oil spills that occurred while the mother was still pregnant had no effect on child or neonatal. Oil spills due to crude oil theft and sabotage of facilities, as well as illegal refining cause the most environmental damage from oil and gas operations in the niger delta. Socioeconomic implications and environmental effects of oil.
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