Navy destroys 19 illegal refineries, recovers 1,277 barrels of oil

Mkpoikana Udoma

Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Navy says it has deactivated 19 illegal refineries and recovered 1,277.9 barrels of crude oil, in one week between 29th January and 4th February 2024, through its anti-crude oil theft and anti-illegal bunkering operation, codenamed Delta Sanity.

Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Ayo Vaughan, said various Naval platforms deployed for the Operation have continued to conduct aggressive patrols to combat crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering within Nigeria’s maritime environment.

Vaughan in a statement sighted by our correspondent in Port Harcourt, stated that several illegal refining sites, metal storage tanks, ovens, wooden boats, dugout pits, fibre boats and pumping machines were appropriately handled.

He said, “On 29 January 2024, NNS Pathfinder in conjunction with Naval Security Station 022, 026 and 028 conducted Recognizance Operations around Elem-krakrama Creek and Ke in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State. During the operations, the Team intercepted six wooden boats laden with about 600 litres of suspected stolen AGO and 566 barrels of stolen crude oil. Accordingly, the wooden boats and items were deactivated.

“On 29 January 2024, Forward Operating Base Formoso conducted anti crude oil theft operation around Brass River, Akassa, Ogbia, Nembe and Southern Ijaw in Bayelsa State. During the operations, the team discovered four illegal refineries, five ovens and two pumping machines. They also arrested five wooden boats laden with about 704.4 bbls of suspected stolen crude oil. Accordingly, the sites and items were dismantled while the products were handled appropriately.

“On 29 January 2024, FOB Escravos conducted anti-oil theft operations around Sahara Creek in Warri South, Delta State. During the operation, the team visited a previously deactivated illegal refinery which was observed to be under reconstruction. The site had one empty reservoir and five dug-out pits. Accordingly, the site was dismantled while items were deactivated.

“From 29 January – 2nf February 2024, NNS Soroh in conjunction with Naval Security Stations 030 and Ocean Marine Solution Houseboat conducted an anti-illegal bunkering operation around Ogbotobo and Fish Camp Community in the Atala area of Bayelsa State. During the operations, the Team discovered a vandalized flowline station belonging to SPDC which was recently reactivated.

“The Team also found a newly constructed illegal refinery with two pumping machines, three generators, galvanized pipes, a 50kg gas cylinder, and other construction items. The team also found one wooden boat laden with sacks of about 19,000 litres of suspected stolen AGO. Accordingly, the items, wooden boats and products were towed to a safe location and deactivated.

“Similarly, on 30 January 2024, Naval Base Oguta in Imo State conducted anti-illegal bunkering operation in her immediate environs. During the operations, the team discovered one fibre boat laden with about 7.5 bbls of product suspected to be stolen crude oil. Accordingly, the boat and product were towed to a safe location and deactivated.

“From 30 January – 2 February 2024, Naval Flying Unit, Port Harcourt conducted aerial surveillance at Abonnema, Temakiri, Aiya Abissa, Ke, Krakrama Tuma, Samkiri, Ukwa West, Ikwuriator, Imo River and Aba River. During surveillance, the Team sighted various illegal refineries and wooden boats laden with unspecified quantities of illegally refined AGO in numerous numbers suspected to have been siphoned from a nearby wellhead. Accordingly, the incident was reported to relevant units for appropriate action.

Additionally, oil thieves were denied about 1,277.9 barrels of product suspected to be stolen crude oil and 19,600 litres of illegally refined AGO amounting to the sum of N151,774,256.32 only.

“A review of Operation Delta Sanity from inception to date revealed that approximately 4,036.7 barrels of crude oil, worth $473,009.589 (N591,498,491.04) and 270,600 litres of illegally refined AGO worth N157,562,542.57. Cumulatively, the sum of N1,058,448,326.33 that could have been used to perpetrate acts inimical to national security and prosperity was denied oil thieves.”