NNPC Clears The Air: No Explosion At Port Harcourt Refinery

Dispelling the Rumors: NNPC Sets the Record Straight

Here's the scoop—there was no explosion at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) in Rivers State, despite what some reports may claim. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has come forward to clarify the situation, stating that the incident wasn’t as catastrophic as it’s been made out to be. Instead, what we’re dealing with here is a flare event, which the company quickly brought under control.

In a statement issued yesterday, Olufemi Soneye, NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, set the record straight. He assured everyone involved—employees, nearby communities, and the environment—that there’s absolutely no danger or health risk. "What happened was a flare incident, and it’s now fully contained," Soneye explained. "We’re urging the media and the public to ignore any reports claiming there was an explosion at the refinery. These reports are simply not true."

New Developments: Another Incident in Rivers State

However, while the NNPC was busy calming nerves about the refinery, another incident has emerged in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State. According to reports, a fresh explosion was recorded at an oil facility in the region just hours after a previous fire incident. It’s a situation that’s raising eyebrows and concerns about the safety of oil infrastructure in the area.

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An anonymous source from the region spoke to Vanguard, sharing details about the early Tuesday morning explosion. The incident occurred at a Manifold Connecting federal line located in the Okwawriwa area of ONELGA. Residents woke up to a startling sight—a massive fire engulfing the facility. Fortunately, the facility is situated far from residential areas, minimizing the risk to human life.

The Importance of This Facility

This particular facility plays a critical role in the transportation of petroleum products. It acts as a key transit point for oil from major players like Seplat, Agip, and Shell. The oil travels through ONELGA and parts of Imo State before reaching its final destination in Brass, Bayelsa State. Any disruption in its operations can have significant ripple effects on the supply chain.

This latest explosion is not the first fire-related incident in the area within a short span of time. Just less than 12 hours earlier, another fire broke out, this time involving the Trans-Niger Pipeline operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). The pipeline, responsible for carrying crude oil to the Bonny Terminal, was engulfed in flames. This series of events has sparked discussions about the safety standards and maintenance practices for pipelines in the region.

As investigations continue, there’s a growing call for increased scrutiny and investment in the safety of Nigeria’s oil infrastructure. These incidents highlight the urgent need for action to prevent future occurrences and protect both human lives and the environment.