Nigeria’s NNPC say output hit by pipeline attacks

Nigeria's crude production has been averaging between 2.2mn b/d and 2.3mn b/d since February, below a target of 2.5mn b/d for this year, because of pipeline vandalism and oil theft, state-owned NNPC has said.

NNPC CEO, Yakubu

Criminal gangs have targeted oil and gas pipelines across Nigeria this year, including the Shell operated Trans Niger Pipeline and the Nembe creek trunk line.
Shell has declared force majeure several times this year on Bonny Light crude exports and on gas supplies to the 22mn t/y Nigeria LNG plant on Bonny island.
"When the artery conveying crude oil to the terminals is hit, this reduces our production volume by 150,000 b/d and for the period that the line is down and that accounts for the drop in crude production," said NNPC group managing director Andrew Yakubu.
Crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism had become a "menace", Yakubu said.
Nigeria is Africa's largest oil exporter. The government has urged international help in clamping down on the refining of stolen Nigerian crude overseas.