INSIDE NIGERIA — Sharon Ikeazor, minister of state for environment, says necessary efforts are being made to ensure the fire incident at Ukpokiti oil field is contained.
She said this in a press statement on Friday.
TheCable had reported that fire engulfed a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel named ‘Trinity Spirit’ in the early hours of Wednesday.
Ikeazor said the oil vessel belonging to Shebah Exploration and Production Company Limited (SEPCOL) was holding about 50-60 thousand barrels of crude oil at the time of the incident.
She however said no death was reported, and that a joint investigation has been planned for the weekend.
“The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), a parastatal under my ministry, has drawn my attention to a fire incident at Ukpokiti oil field involving the floating production storage and offtake (FPSO) which belongs to Shebah Exploration and Production Company Limited,” she said.
“The FPSO which has a capacity storage of two million barrels was said to be holding an approximate 50-60 thousand barrels of crude oil at the time of the incident.
“Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to bring the fire incident under control while relevant regulatory agencies have been duly informed. Furthermore, the Agency has called on oil industry operators proximate to the oil field to lend support in achieving rapid response.
“Similarly, the Clean Nigeria Associates, a co-operative of the oil companies responding to tier II oil spill incidents has been notified to also lend its support. The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) which has a working memorandum of understanding with NOSDRA has been notified.
“So far, no fatality has been reported. A joint investigation of the incident is planned for the weekend before which the fire incident would have been fully controlled.”
By Vivian Chime/TheCable
