Shell is investigating reports of smoke and explosions that occurred in the vicinity of its Gbaran Ubie oil and gas installations in Bayelsa early Tuesday morning.
It is reported that the fire Incident in the early morning of Tuesday involved sounds of explosions and sightings of smoke at a site where pipeline repairs were actively being conducted, according to Reuters.
Shell’s spokesperson claimed that the incident would not lead to a complete shutdown of the facility, despite these disturbing reports.
“We are actively monitoring reports of smoke detected near our Gbaran Central Processing Facility in Bayelsa State.
“While the source appears to be external to our facility, we are in close communication with regulatory authorities to look into the incident and ensure the safety of the surrounding communities,” a Shell spokesperson said in a statement.
Shell did not immediately respond to the accounts of residents in the area.
Residents near the Gbaran Ubie facility in Bayelsa State were rattled by a loud explosion that reportedly shook the ground and sent thick plumes of smoke into the sky.
Ovie Ogbuku, a resident, described the incident saying “At about bout 7 a.m., the sound was so deafening that it shook the earth’s foundation, prompting us to run for our lives. The result is the thick smoke you see now, which continues to billow from the site.”
It’s still not known what caused the explosion, but fortunately, according to another resident, Uche Ede, it occurred far enough from the residential areas to avoid any fatalities.
Ede said, “We don’t know what caused the explosion, but we are thankful that no lives were lost.”
According to him, the community is still on edge, as the authorities have sealed off the area and are waiting for further information.
Land operations within the oil-rich Niger Delta are frequently compromised due to rampant sabotage, theft, and vandalism of pipelines.
The ability of the region to produce oil has been significantly affected by these security challenges, which have led to frequent disruptions in operation and loss of income.
