Update on SNEPCo response to Bonga oil leak: Oil leak largely dispersed

The news comes five days after less than 40,000 barrels of oil leaked during a routine operation to transfer of oil from Bonga’s floating production, storage and offtake (FPSO) vessel to an oil tanker. 

Since the leak, teams from SNEPCo have worked around the clock with international oil spill experts, using a combination of dispersants and booms to tackle the leaked oil.  SNEPCo will continue to monitor the area, including using radar satellite, and take appropriate steps to disperse any further persistent oil sheens.  SNEPCo's robust response and the natural weathering process, has helped bring a swift end to this incident.

Shell Nigeria's, Country Chair, Mutiu Sunmonu, welcomed the news:

"I am very sorry the leak from Bonga happened in the first place, but am now happy to confirm the oil has dispersed.  This could not have been done without the support of local and national government officials, who enabled our teams to mobilize quickly and start to tackle the oil almost immediately.  I also want to thank the teams that worked day and night to clean up the oil for their tireless efforts, and the communities along the western Delta shoreline for their support and understanding over recent days."

Sunmonu went on to say how SNEPCo's efforts were hampered by third-party oil, spilled from another vessel in the area.  "Our teams witnessed oil on the surface of the water that they are sure did not come from Bonga -- we have taken samples of this oil to understand where it came from.  While that analysis is being done, I have instructed our teams to tackle all the oil they can see, including oil spilled by third parties, and to ensure all measures are taken to protect the onshore areas."

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