Oil theft: SPDC to deploy drones to monitor pipelines and wellheads
Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has signed a contract to acquire drones to monitor its pipelines and wellheads in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
SPDC's Director General of External Relations, Igo Weli, made the point during a press conference in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
He said the company decided to acquire drones due to frequent attacks on its pipelines, resulting in huge revenue losses due to the activities of oil thieves and pipeline vandals.
According to him, the oil thieves breached the SPDC's pipelines and wellheads, then redirected the crude oil to their illegal refining sites, depriving the company of needed revenue.
“To this end, we have signed a contract and will soon begin using drones to monitor our pipelines, wellheads and other facilities.
"Shell is doing so much to protect its assets in Nigeria," he said.
Mr. Weli said frequent attacks on its oil and gas facilities by organized criminals have worsened over the years, causing the company to spend huge funds to protect its facilities.
"Some of the other amazing things we do as a company are flying helicopters every day to check the pipelines, which is very expensive for the company.
"Even when we see illegal refineries, there is little we can do other than draw the authorities' attention to them.
"The SPDC builds cages and installs technology to protect its wellheads, much like we install burglar guards in our homes to keep thieves away.
"It's worrying and it should be of concern to everyone, knowing that oil and gas are the sectors where the country generates huge currencies and creates jobs for millions of people," he said. added.
SPDC's chief executive said the company also collaborates with security agencies by sharing data on the locations and activities of bunkers and illegal refineries.
He said sharing the data was to ensure the threat was resolved, to improve the business and working environment.
READ ALSO: Oil theft: EU delegation, NNPC and JTF officials visit illegal refining sitesMr. Weli said governments at both state and federal levels had done their best to combat the threat, but more needed to be done.
"That's why we've been talking about it for years and went so far as to open an oil spill website in 2011."
When the company reopened the Trans Niger pipeline shutdown in March, Weli said the company would only reopen the pipeline when the facility was safe from attack.
(NAN)
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Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has signed a contract to acquire drones to monitor its pipelines and wellheads in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
SPDC's Director General of External Relations, Igo Weli, made the point during a press conference in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
He said the company decided to acquire drones due to frequent attacks on its pipelines, resulting in huge revenue losses due to the activities of oil thieves and pipeline vandals.
According to him, the oil thieves breached the SPDC's pipelines and wellheads, then redirected the crude oil to their illegal refining sites, depriving the company of needed revenue.
“To this end, we have signed a contract and will soon begin using drones to monitor our pipelines, wellheads and other facilities.
"Shell is doing so much to protect its assets in Nigeria," he said.
Mr. Weli said frequent attacks on its oil and gas facilities by organized criminals have worsened over the years, causing the company to spend huge funds to protect its facilities.
"Some of the other amazing things we do as a company are flying helicopters every day to check the pipelines, which is very expensive for the company.
"Even when we see illegal refineries, there is little we can do other than draw the authorities' attention to them.
"The SPDC builds cages and installs technology to protect its wellheads, much like we install burglar guards in our homes to keep thieves away.
"It's worrying and it should be of concern to everyone, knowing that oil and gas are the sectors where the country generates huge currencies and creates jobs for millions of people," he said. added.
SPDC's chief executive said the company also collaborates with security agencies by sharing data on the locations and activities of bunkers and illegal refineries.
He said sharing the data was to ensure the threat was resolved, to improve the business and working environment.
READ ALSO: Oil theft: EU delegation, NNPC and JTF officials visit illegal refining sitesMr. Weli said governments at both state and federal levels had done their best to combat the threat, but more needed to be done.
"That's why we've been talking about it for years and went so far as to open an oil spill website in 2011."
When the company reopened the Trans Niger pipeline shutdown in March, Weli said the company would only reopen the pipeline when the facility was safe from attack.
(NAN)
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism is very expensive. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.Donate
[embedded content]TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Call Willie - +2348098788999
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