By ABIRHIRE THOMAS
Few days after a four-kilometre crude oil pipeline believed to have been abandoned by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) but being used by bunkerers in the oil-theft illegality was exposed, Tompolo company has uncovered another illegal pipeline connected into the 48-inch Trans Forcados Export Trunkline.
The illegal pipeline was found in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State has a capacity to export 400,000 barrels per day.
The plugged point is also directly behind a military security post and less than a kilometer to the Forcados Export Terminal in Ogulagha community.
From the point of connection, the illegal pipeline was linked to another abandoned pipeline riser located within the vicinity and owned by AGIP Petroleum Company Ltd. through the abandoned AGIP facility, the oil thieves have been ferrying condensed crude oil to the sea for loading into thieving ships at midnight for onward movement abroad.
It receives crude oil from the Forcados Oil Pipeline System, which is the second largest pipeline network in the oil-producing region, after the Bonny Oil Pipeline System in the Eastern Niger Delta.
Moreso, it was stated that some International Oil Companies and Nigerian independents operating in the western Niger Delta pump oil to the Forcados Oil Terminal for exports.
It will be recalled that Tantita Security Services Limited had only last week apprehended a vessel named MT Deima with International Maritime Organisation with number 7210525, while loading crude oil illegally along the Escravos river in Delta State.
The arrested vessel which was handed over to officials of the Joint Task Force otherwise known as Operation Delta Safe was eventually set ablaze by the military officials 48 hours after the arrest.
