Shell calls for urgent action against oil theft in Nigeria

We have now witnessed a significant upsurge in the activities of crude oil thieves, Mutiu Sunmonu,managing director of Shells Nigeria division SPDC,said in comments distributed by the company.

The situation in the last few weeks is unprecedented. The volume being stolen is the highest in the last three years over 60,000 barrels per day from Shell alone.

The Anglo-Dutch company,Nigerias biggest producer,said in a statement that its key Nembe Creek Trunkline in the countrys south had been hit repeatedly between February 22 and 25,causing temporary cuts of 150,000 barrels per day.

Nigeria currently produces around two million barrels per day,but suffers widespread spills due to pipeline sabotage. Sunmonu said he could not rule out shutting down the pipeline if such activity continued.