Yemisi Izuora
Eroton Exploration & Production Company has confirmed a well head fire incident which occurred at the Akaso field of the Cawthrone Channel operational area of its OML 18 Asset.
The incident occurred in the evening of Friday, January 20th, 2023.
The company spokesperson Mercy Max-Ebibai informed the media that the well is reported to be releasing hydrocarbon to the environment with wildfire due to suspected vandalization and bunkering activity attempt on the XMAS Tree containment valves of the wellhead.
An oil-ladened wooden boat was initially observed in the vicinity and a loud bang was also reported.
This resulted in the fires drifting to two 2 wellheads but only one of the two is still aflame at the point of reporting. Akaso6LS fire has died out while Akaso15L is still on fire, the company said.
Max-Ebibai added that an Emergency Response Team (ERT) has been convened and the company’s skilled well control engineers are working with an experienced wild well control vendor who has been contacted to carry out assessment of the current wild well fire situation, design a technical solution and firefighting strategy.
The spokesperson also confirmed that all regulatory obligations have been adhered to with the relevant
authorities duly notified within the allowed window and that they are working closely with the relevant authorities to investigate the cause of the incident and determine the extent of the damage.
According to the spokesperson, the safety and well-being of the company’s employees and host communities
are their top priority.
“We continue to appreciate the effort of the authorities, and the entire oil and gas industry to stem these incessant, unfortunate, and expensive incidents.” she said.
Eroton is an indigenous Oil & Gas Company and the Operator of OML 18 on behalf of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, NNPCL/Eroton JV.
