The management of Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPC) says it has fully mobilized experts to site for the immediate containment of the spill at its Santa Barbara, Southwest field in Nembe local government area of Bayelsa state.
It could be recalled that the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, accompanied by senior government officials visited the leaking well head on Wednesday to take stock of the situation at ground zero.
The Minister and his team observed with gladness that ongoing efforts were being intensified to cap the well and further control the consequences of the spillage at the Santa Barbara, Southwest field, in Nembe Local Government Area of the State.
During the visit, the Minister held extensive discussions with the Aiteo intervention team on ground, led by Chief Operations Officer, Ewariezi Useh who debriefed him on the pre-kill well assessment by Boots & Coots and assuring him that the well would be secured within 48 hours of his visit.Â
Afterwards, the Minister had a town hall meeting with the people of the Opu-Nembe Kingdom in which he undertook a very fruitfulinteraction with the community.
Satisfied by the promises by Aiteo, Sylva assured the community that their concerns and grievances will be addressed as also investigations would be done to ascertain what went wrong after the well has been secured.Â
A statement made available to our correspondent by Aiteo’s Media Contact, Mr. Ndiana Matthew on Friday said the containment exercise will continue, with booms and environmental barges mopping up spilled crude being fully deployed, noting that all relevant personnel and experts, local and international, are now on location.
“The marine spread carrying the pumps, chemicals, cranes, and firefighting equipment are 100% mobilized and have setsail to location.Â
“The crew will night stop at KM 45 and take off again at first light tomorrow with ETAÂ 12noon on site. 2 x 1000MT Ramp barge containing simulation equipment for the well kill also sailed today.Â
“Simultaneously, concurrent activities including spotting and hook up of hoses are ongoing on the barges to minimize clean up downtime.Â
“At SBAS-1, the well-control package was transferred onto the well platform and the crew carried out an inspection with the Xmas tree and identified the THS (Tubing Head Spool) to be 2-1/16â€. Further, RU(rig up) has been commenced but not completed due to bad weather.Â
“The Forward Plan is to complete RU and install well control package to arrest the flow.the Status/Fire Status in Well & VIThere is currently no fire at or within the vicinity of the well.
“Environmental Impact Assessment in vicinity of the area is in planning phase with DPR / NOSDRA accredited firm.
On preparation for the well kill, the statement said: “team comprising members from Aiteo Well Operations and Boots & Coot already at well site for site preparation for well control operation.
“Connection of suction and delivery lines of two high discharge water pumps, to be used for well control operation completed andcommissioning of the pumps in progress.
“Civil work for development of debris laydown area and bunk house placement area is in progress.”
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