Fresh Oil Spill Reported at Shell Facility in Rivers State

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has confirmed an oil spill at its facility in Ogale, near Port Harcourt, Rivers State. According to a report by Reuters, the spill occurred when a saver pit overflowed during flushing operations in the Niger Delta.

The company stated that its spill response team quickly contained the overflow and alerted the relevant authorities. Shell also mentioned that preparations were underway for a regulator-led joint investigation to determine the extent and cause of the spill.

The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) provided additional details, stating that the spill began when an underground pit filled with crude oil started flowing toward a pipeline near an area of the Ogoni cleanup project.

This incident is the latest in a series of oil spills linked to Shell’s operations in the region. On December 14, 2024, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) reported an oil spill at SPDC’s Bonny loading terminal. The company responded by shutting down the affected pipeline and deploying containment measures to protect nearby communities.

A similar incident occurred on August 14, 2024, at an SPDC facility in Imiringi, Bayelsa State. Shell attributed that spill to oil theft.

Oil spills remain a significant environmental and social issue in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, with local communities and advocacy groups frequently calling for greater accountability and improved safety measures.