TotalEnergies, a leader in the oil and gas sector, recently confirmed and quickly managed a minor crude oil leak at its Egina Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel in Port Harcourt, Rivers. The company assured that the incident did not disrupt production at the facility or affect the nearby shoreline and communities.
The leak occurred on November 15 during a routine crude loading operation on a vessel at the Egina FPSO, which boasts a substantial storage capacity of 2.3 million barrels and has been operational for five years, producing 200,000 barrels daily.
According to a report by This Day Live, TotalEnergies’ Country Communications Manager, Dr. Charles Ebereonwu, reported to THISDAY that they had effectively controlled the minor leak. “We immediately and effectively treated the resulting sheen, significantly reducing its presence,” Ebereonwu said. “Fortunately, this incident hasn’t hindered our production or impacted any nearby shoreline or community areas.”
NIMASA had earlier released a statement about the oil spill at the Egina FPSO. Edward Osagie, Head of Public Relations at NIMASA, confirmed that the incident occurred on November 15, 2023, at this significant FPSO facility, which TotalEnergies operates in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
In response, NIMASA has been actively collaborating with the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) from its Crisis Management Room (CMR). The agency is employing advanced oil spill monitoring software from their emergency response center to monitor the situation in real time, although they have not yet confirmed the spill’s exact volume.
Furthermore, TotalEnergies is conducting extensive aircraft surveillance and deploying dispersants while evaluating additional measures to fully address the incident.
Bashir Jamoh, the Director-General of NIMASA, highlighted the collaborative efforts in managing the spill. “Our teams are working hand in hand with other government agencies to control and manage this pollution effectively, safeguarding the marine environment and nearby communities,” Jamoh stated.
Located about 130 kilometers off Nigeria’s coast at depths over 1,500 meters, the Egina oil field is one of Nigeria’s most ambitious ultra-deep offshore projects. Since its launch in December 2018, it has played a crucial role in Nigeria’s oil production, contributing close to 10% of the nation’s total output and standing as a testament to the country’s industrial and technological advancements.
This incident at the Egina FPSO underscores the critical need for strict safety measures and quick response strategies in the oil and gas industry. TotalEnergies’ prompt and effective handling of this incident highlights their commitment to environmental safety and maintaining high operational standards.
