FG deploys troops, moves to restore oil lifting at Forcados, others

The Federal Government has deployed troops to protect oil pipelines that criss-cross the oil-rich Niger Delta area from vandals who according to estimates sets the country aback by 300,000 barrels per day.

Speaking to journalists at a briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s military spokesman, Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar said; “We are taking extra steps to ensure that we guard these facilities including pipelines, oil platforms and other installations.”

The move is coming after Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) declared a force majeure on Forcados liftings effective from February 21, 2016 following disruption of production caused by a spill on the Forcados Terminal subset crude export pipeline.

The force majeure declared by the oil giants which is a standard clause in most contracts which includes events such as natural disasters, wars and other occurrences not within the power or control of the executing party, means Shell may not be able to meet its contractual agreement to its business partners.

Last year, SPDC lifted the force majeure on Bonny light exports following the repair and re-opening of the Trans Niger Pipeline and Nembe Creek Trunkline.

The TNP was repaired after a joint investigation visit found that a leak was caused by an illegal connection that failed.

Recall last week that a group known as Niger Delta Avengers claimed responsibility for the attacks on Forcados terminal as they declared “Operation Red Economy”.