Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCO) has denied reports that the Bonga oil field, over 200 kilometers off-coast was attacked by militants because of poor radar coverage. In the same vein, the Deputy Chairman of House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Rep. Aro Samuel Bamidele, has called on the Federal Government to beef up security at the Bonga oil facility.
Bonga is rated the biggest FPSO in Africa and one of the biggest in the world. Its sub-sea production systems are said to be first in deep water Nigeria and its attack last week Thursday has elicited an almost unanimous criticism from all sectors, as it is seen as a blow on the heart of Nigeria�s crude export capacity of 225, 000 barrels per day.
While responding in Abuja to reports suggesting that a poor radar coverage was the cause of the attack, Mr. Olatunbosun Oni, Production Superintendent, Bonga FPSO, stated that a statement yesterday jointly issued with the General Manager, Business and Government relations, Mr. Jimmy Ahmed, said the Bonga field has functional radar systems but that they are not meant to deter the type of attack witnessed on June 19.
“The radar systems are basically for lookout and surveillance and to alert personnel to take appropriate precautionary measures to protect lives and minimize potential damage to facilities.” He said that on the day of the attack, emergency procedures worked well and that lock down prevented access.”
He said that the consequences of the attack on the Bonga facility which is being operated by SNEPCO on a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) basis for Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC), and Exxon Mobil and Total are enormous, both for the Nigerian well-being, and on innocent people. He said the attack on Bonga which is a key national asset is not just a Shell affair but an assault on the flagship of the Nigerian economy.
Shell said: “whilst SNEPCO would work to ensure the safety of personnel in the field, it is the responsibility if the Federal Government to provide and sustain security both on land and in the country�s territorial waters.
“SNEPCO welcomes Government�s professed intention to improve security in the Bonga field and we wish to stress the need for words to be matched by action. Action against criminality should be complemented by efforts to address development needs in the Niger Delta,” the company said.
Source: The Vanguard