Nigerian Gas Firm Reduces Output After Pipeline Fire

Nigerian gas firm reduces output after pipeline fire

LAGOS, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) — Nigeria’s liquefied natural gas company NLNG has announced the scale-down of production following a leak in its main gas supply pipeline and a subsequent outbreak of fire.

A NLNG statement obtained Tuesday said the leak ignited on August 23 in the company’s Rumuji to Bonny gas transmission system, about 35 km from the plant site at Finima, Bonny Island in Nigeria ‘s oil- rich south.

“Measures to extinguish the fire were initially not successful and on August 26 the leak increased to an extent that required immediate shut-down of the pipeline. But by morning of August 27, the fire had been extinguished,” the statement said.

It said there are no reported injuries or loss of life and the impact on the environment is minimal as the site of the leak, which is tidal and for much of the time below water level, is located in a remote swamp area with difficult access.

Engineers are currently working to undertake repairs with the intention of returning to full operations as soon as possible, it added.

Nigeria, Africa’s top oil producer, also has the ninth largest proven natural gas reserves in the world.

The NLNG is a company co-owned by the state-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corp., Royal Dutch Shell and France’s TotalFinalElf and Italy’s Agip.