By Yemisi Izuora-Lagos
Nigeria’s Petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, said an industry wide collaboration is required to address oil theft and pipeline vandalism which not only threatens the economy but also the environment.
The minister also charged the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to further compel oil and gas companies to provide Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for their staff.
Alison-Madueke who spoke in Lagos at the opening of the 16th International Health Safety and Environment Biennial Conference with theme “Innovative Approach Towards Emerging Safety Challenges” said that absence of adequate literature such as SoP in respect of complex facilities being operated by relatively inexperienced workers has been that major causes of incidents and accidents.
The minister who was represented by Mr George Osahan, Director, DPR said Nigeria as major player in the oil and gas industry is however threatened by security challenges which has made oil theft and pipeline vandalism a common topic of discussion among industry players,’’ she said.
Alison-Madueke said that the conference is being held against the background of much heightened and improved safety awareness by Nigerians.
She said that the petroleum industry worldwide is dynamic and highly organised through its advanced standards, codes of practice and control system, adding in Nigeria control of the industry is founded on legal framework that are predicated on international standard.
Government she assured would deepen participation of indigenous investors in the sector and has thus approved the establishment of a Modular Refinery.
“It is the believe of government that the short project cycle, low cost and flexibility for establishing modular refineries would encourage proper investment in refinery operation and minimize crude oil theft and operation of artisanal refineries” she pointed out.
“In this regard, aspiring modular refinery operators would be scrutinized and granted license to install and operate such facilities,’’ she added.
Mr George Osahan, Director, DPR during his welcome address noted that the number and frequency of oil spills was actually on the decrease before the recent hike in pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.
Osahon said the DPR has successfully instituted appropriate environmental performance evaluation mechanism to determine the extent of compliance on the part of operating companies.