NNPC uncovers another 165 illegal refineries

• Published On: 27 June 2024 at 20:00

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited announced last week that it discovered another 165 unauthorised refineries throughout the Niger Delta.

According to a NNPC documentary, between June 15 and 21, government and private security services reported around 400 cases of oil theft and vandalism.

It was reported that 69 unlawful connections were identified and unplugged in Bayelsa and Rivers states.

It highlighted that eight incidences of oil spills caused by vandalism or unauthorised hookups had been documented around the region.



An unlawful loading point in Warri, Delta State, was reportedly uncovered.

The NNPC announced that 69 illegal refineries have been discovered and dismantled throughout numerous marshes in Okrika, Rivers State. The ongoing construction of a 'oven' for the unlawful processing of crude oil has reportedly been halted.

Similar refinery sites were discovered in several areas across Abia and Bayelsa states.


The NNPC reported that 19 unlawful storage sites containing stolen crude and illegally refined goods were discovered in Delta, Imo, Rivers, Abia, and Bayelsa states.

It further stated that 11 vehicles had been seized in Delta, Akwa-Ibom, and Bayelsa states, as well as 39 boats with stolen oil in Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa states.

It also stated that eight people were arrested in connection with the occurrences.

Mele Kyari, CEO of NNPCL Group, recently emphasised the importance of combating instability in the oil and gas sector in order to improve output.

According to Kyari, the nation's crude oil production is declining owing to theft and vandalism.

"How can you boost oil production? Remove the security issue with our onshore assets. As we all know, the security dilemma is real. It's not only about thievery; it's about having the infrastructure to get the volume to the market.

"No one will invest in oil production if they know it will not reach the market. nearly the last two years, we deleted nearly 5,800 unlawful connections from our pipelines. We shut down more than 6,000 illegal refineries. "You simply cannot get people to invest until you solve that problem," Kyari stated.