Eroton Exploration and Production Company Limited, has stated its commitment to promoting professional and responsible oil field practices with the protection of its operational environment at the core of its values.
This comes in the wake of a recent Oil Spill incident which occurred on June 15, 2022 from Cawthorne Channel Well 15 Wellhead (CAWC015L/S) in one of its areas of operation, CAWC015L/S is a dual string well which started production in May 1977. The incident is attributed to sabotage from unknown persons, as the short string has been shut-in since 1988 due to High Gas Oil Ratio (HGOR), while the long string watered out and quit in 1991.
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The company spokesperson Mercy Max-Ebibai (Head External Affairs and Corporate Communications) informed reporters that a preliminary Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) found that the entire valves on the Christmas Tree, wellhead accessories (such as the control valves, tree caps, etc.) were removed. The vandals also removed the Well platform and gangway making it more complicated to intervene on the flowing well. The removal of the platform means our technicians have nothing to stand on in attempting to control the unplanned flow as the well is standing at about 30feet above sea level. On inspection by our team of Engineers and Service Contractors (marred by poor visibility from crude flow and height), it was observed that the crude oil leak is most likely from three (3) points: the Well Christmas Tree Cap, Swab and Wing Valves, which were carted away by the vandals.
Eroton also confirmed that all regulatory obligations have been adhered to with the relevant authorities duly notified within the allowed window. This includes the statutory Form A to NOSDRA, NUPRC, NNPC and other JV partners, the Ministry of Environment and the principal representatives of the respective Community Development Boards (CDB). Representatives of these stakeholders also partook in the preliminary JIV.
Despite challenges like tidal change, oil spill containment activities have continued in earnest. The containment booms have been deployed and reinforced to contain the spill spread. Oil recovery has commenced with the mechanical skimming of free phase oil, whilst a Wild Well Control vendor, and our engineers are being deployed to site to establish well control across all the flowing points on the Christmas Tree with a view to get the well under control.