Tantita Security Services, a pipeline security company owned by ex-militant leader, Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo) has made another startling discovery of fleece of the country’s oil sector.
According to a report, the latest discovery is an oil pipeline connected to the 48-inch Trans Forcados Export Trunkline which has a capacity to export 400,000 barrels per day in the Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
The report says the plugged point is directly behind a military security post and less he than a kilometre from the Forcados Export Terminal in Ogulagha Community.
The discovery is the latest in recent times. Earlier in the week, operatives of the Nigerian Navy in Delta State on Monday reportedly destroyed an illegal oil bunkering vessel arrested with stolen crude oil on board.
Operatives of Tantita Security Services had effected the vessel’s arrest alongside its seven-member crew, on 6th October 2022, whilst crude oil was being loaded illegally into the ship.
Also, earlier in the month, the private company uncovered an illegal connection of a crude oil pipeline from one of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) major oil export terminals into the sea that had been operating undetected for nine years.
The 4-kilometre pipeline, which typically exports around 250,000 barrels of oil per day, was found during a clamp-down on oil theft in the past six weeks.
Africa’s biggest oil producer has been grappling with oil thieves who often tap land-based pipelines to siphon oil. However, an illegal ocean pipeline is highly unusual and suggests a more sophisticated theft operation.