Remediation Issues in the Niger Delta
In Nigeria, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), operates with minimal impact on environment. We also look for ways to bring environmental and social benefits to the communities where we operate. The standards and practices we use are similar to other Shell operations anywhere in the world.
SPDC assesses, and where required, remediates areas impacted by spills from its facilities, irrespective of cause. Where land is impacted by oil spills despite the prevention systems in place, we clean up as quickly as possible and remediate the land. In the case of operational spills, SPDC also pays compensation, as stipulated by Nigerian law. Once clean-up and remediation are completed, the work is inspected, approved and certified by the regulator, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).
The most significant environmental damage from oil and gas operations in the Niger Delta results from crude oil theft and sabotage of facilities leading to oil spills and environmental degradation. The spills are sometimes made worse because communities occasionally deny access to spill sites for containment. In 2023, about 94% of the oil spills of more than 100 kilograms from SPDC-operated facilities were caused by illegal activities of third parties.
SPDC is committed to complying with the 2018 Environmental Guidelines and Standards for the Petroleum Industry in Nigeria (EGASPIN). EGASPIN provides for the management and remediation of contaminated land (i.e. soil, groundwater and drinking water). To this end, we have researched and adopted techniques for cleaning up oil spills that we believe to be the most effective for the soil and climate conditions in the equatorial heat of the Niger Delta. Certification of the satisfactory completion of remediation is performed for all sites by NOSDRA, based on results of analytical laboratory testing. An overview of recent SPDC oil spill response data and information is provided in the Nigeria Briefing Notes 2023 which also reflects the work of Shell Companies in Nigeria, the progress achieved, and the contributions made to communities and the country,
The SPDC-JV works with communities and civil society across the Niger Delta to build greater trust in clean-up processes. Wherever possible, local communities take part in the remedial works. In places where access has been hampered, we continue to work through our community relations officers in those areas to gain access so that we can effectively remediate outstanding sites.
Note: SPDC is the operator of the Joint Venture comprising NNPC 55%; SPDC 30%; TotalEnergies 10%; and NAOC 5%.
Community involvement
The SPDC-JV works with communities and civil society across the Niger Delta to build greater trust in clean-up processes. Wherever possible, local communities take part in the remedial works. In a number of successful projects, local youths have been employed in the remediation process. In addition, some projects have been undertaken to improve host communities. An example of such projects is the construction of a 3.45km road at Ejama Ebubu community. This project was completed and commissioned in December 2011.
In places where access has been hampered, we continue to work through our community relations officers in those areas to gain access so that we can effectively remediate outstanding sites.