Trans Forcados pipeline (also referred to as Trans-Forcados pipeline, Trans Forcados oil pipeline) is a major oil pipeline in Nigeria's Niger Delta. The 48-inch, underwater pipeline spans across 87-kilometres and has a capacity of over 200,000 to 240,000 barrels of oil per day.[1][2] It transports oil, water and associated gas from fields in the western delta to the Forcados oil terminal.[3] It is operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and belongs to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).[4]
Incidents
In January 2015, Trans Forcados pipeline was vandalised at Oteghele axis in Bayelsa State and caused a crude oil spill in the area.[5]
In February 2016, Trans Forcados was shut down after it was bombed by the Niger Delta Avengers. It was first attack on a Nigerian subsea pipeline.[6] After repairs were carried out, a militant attack affected its loading program in October 2016.[7] In July 2017, BusinessDay reported that the pipeline was being shut down for the third time in one month.[8]
In May 2018, Trans Forcados shut down for repairs of a minor leak.[9] The Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation disclosed that more than $32 million was spent this year on repairs to the pipeline in 2018.
On May 19, 2019, a fire incident was reported at the crude oil spill site along the Trans Forcados pipeline in Yeye community.[10] The fire raged till May 21, 2019.[11] Operations were resumed on May 24, 2019.[12]
References
- ^ Nation, The (2019-01-06). "Trans Forcados Pipeline: Firm states position". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
- ^ Edeh, Harrison (2018-12-05). "NNPC clarifies Trans Forcados Pipeline surveillance contract". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
- ^ AriseNews (2022-10-13). "Nigeria's Oil Production to Get Boost as Shell Resumes Export at 400,000bpd Forcados Terminal Month End". Arise News. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
- ^ BusinessDay (2016-04-21). "Trans-Forcados pipeline may not be back in operation till June". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ eribake, akintayo (2015-01-26). "Vandals attack Trans Forcados pipeline again". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
- ^ "Militants bomb Nigerian state-owned Trans Forcados pipeline". AP News. 2016-11-02. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
- ^ Nairametrics (2020-04-10). "Concerns as Shell declares force majeure on Forcados terminal". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
- ^ BusinessDay (2017-07-18). "Trans Forcados pipeline shut down for 3rd time in one month". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Jeremiah, Urowayino (2018-05-30). "Trans-Forcados Oil Terminal delays add to supply concerns". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
- ^ sunday (2019-05-21). "Fire ravages Trans Forcados pipeline". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
- ^ https://www.reuters.com/article/business/finance/nigerias-trans-forcados-pipeline-remains-closed-after-fire-idUSL5N22X2CJ/
- ^ https://www.reuters.com/article/breakingviews/nigeria-s-trans-forcados-oil-pipeline-resumes-operations-source-idUSL5N2304M2/