Utorogu Gas Plant belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has been shut down following the fire that gutted the 10-inch Utorogu-Ughelli Pumping Station condensate trunkline yesterday.
A number of persons were burnt to death and several others sustained injuries while allegedly trying to steal condensate, petroleum and gas by-product from the site.
The shut down of the gas plant has resulted in the deferment of some 300 million standard cubic feet (mscf) of gas, a development which could result in power outages nationwide.
The oil giant in a statement made available to THISDAY last night confirmed the incident and said a �Force Majeure� has been declared on gas supplies to the national grid. �Force Majeure� is a legal condition which protects a company from not meeting contractual delivery obligations.
Although the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, an SPDC spokesman said helicopter overfly confirmed the fire to be on the outskirts of Otor-Edo in Ughelli South Local Government Area adding that several burnt and submerged boats as well as abandoned hoses and drums were sighted at the scene.
He stated that a joint investigation team comprising regulators, government agencies, community representatives and SPDC officials is due to visit the area tomorrow to ascertain the cause of the fire and impact.
�In the meantime, SPDC has shut down the Utorogu Gas Plant which feeds the line and a Force Majeure has been declared on gas supplies to the national grid. (Condensate is a by-product of gas and we must evacuate the product if we have to continue to produce gas.) Some 300 million standard cubic feet of gas has been deferred.
The company regretted that attacks on its facility has remained unabated despite its efforts to ensure a peaceful relation with the community, adding that the relevant government agencies have been duly informed, while firefighters have been mobilized to the area.
�The fire is in a remote area and it may take some time before the team gets to the scene.We regret any inconvenience the shortfall might cause and will work hard to extinguish the fire, repair the line and resume supplies as soon as possible� the statement adds.
However, the actual number of casualties at the site could not be confirmed as at the time of filing this report last night.
The following is the same stury as reported by The Punch…
AT least 10 persons suspected to be oil thieves were on Friday burnt to death on the outskirts of Otor-Edo in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The victims were said to have vandalised the Shell Petroleum Development Company�s 10-inch Utorogu-Ughelli oil pipeline.
But the cause of the fire, which consumed them could not be ascertained at press time on Friday. Saturday Tribune learnt that the fire, which was still raging at the time of filing this report, burnt and consumed boats as well as abandoned hoses and drums around the area.
In a press statement, the Head, Media and Government Affairs, Mr. Precious Okolobo, confirmed the incident. The cause of the fire, Okolobo said, was not immediately known but that helicopter overfly confirmed the fire to be on the outskirts of Otor-Edo in Ughelli South Local Government Area, with several burnt and boats submerged.
Okolobo disclosed that SPDC had informed the relevant government agencies and mobilised a fire fighting team to the area. He added: �However, the fire is in a remote area and it may take sometime before the team gets to the scene.
�A Joint Investigation Team comprising regulators, government agencies, community representatives and SPDC officials is due to visit the area tomorrow (Saturday) to ascertain the cause of the fire and impact.
�In the meantime, SPDC has shut down the Utorogu Gas Plant, which feeds the line, and a force majeure has been declared on gas supplies to the national grid.