AITEO Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO) staffers were in jubilant mood as they succeeded in shutting down the spewing Santa Barbara wellhead in the Nembe creek, Bayelsa State after more than four weeks of frantic efforts. The leak, which was reported to regulatory agencies on Nov 5, 2021 has been ongoing until both foreign and local experts deployed to cap the leaking well achieved a breakthrough.. Aiteo had stated that the well which it acquired in 2015, had been mostly dormant and had been securely isolated since then, adding that the leak was a high pressure one and therefore needed international support.
Also in preparation for the “well kill”, Aiteo had raised a team comprising members from its internal well operations experts as well as a foreign firm, Boots & Coot to hasten the operation. That was in addition to the earlier mobilisation of the Clean Nigeria Associates (CNA), a Nigerian coalition, as part of the attempt to halt the leak which was said to comprise about 20 per cent oil and 80 per cent gas. A dependable source stated that the leak has now been fully halted while other steps were being taken to consummate the process that started a few weeks ago. A virtual recording of the operation showed the oil workers in joyous mood and singing songs of praise immediately oil ceased to gush out from the well head. Sources within the OML 29 said a team of oil workers engaged in oil recovery for the past one month heaved a sigh of relief at the development. adding that at least 8,000 barrels of crude and water sediments have been recovered so far.
Some of the locals who witnessed the recorded feat noted with relief “our nightmare is over. We can now sleep with ease knowing the raging spill has finally stop.” It will be recalled that President Muhamadu Buhari had on Nov 25 directed the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva to visit the spill impacted site to emphasise with victims of the spill and ensure adequate response. Also Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri visited the site, some days afterwards and expressed dismay over the slow response of the operator of the facility to quickly halt the leakage. The operator had donated truck loads of relief materials which comprised food items, drinking water, and medical supplies on two occasions whilst the leak lasted as well as mobilised other oil firms in oil recovery efforts to minimised impact on the environment.
