A federal government agency, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has alleged that the American multinational oil and gas giant, ExxonMobil, is engaging in oil theft in Rivers State.
Recommending that Vessel Barumk Gas be detained, the federal agency said the the vessel was detected to be involved in unapproved lifting of Butane at Bonny River Terminal.
A letter written by the Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Farouk Ahmed to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor, on June 8, 2023, which was leaked to the press on Sunday, alleged that ExxonMobil was collaborating with the vessel owners to engage in oil theft and economic sabotage.
In the letter titled “Economic sabotage, criminal damage and theft through illegal petroleum lifting operations at Bonny River Terminal”, NMDPRA informed the military chief that the lock placed on the facility by its officials was broken by the oil company to enable the illegal act.
According to the letter: “The urgent attention of the Chief of Defence Staff is drawn to the illegal petroleum lifting operations taking place at Bonny River Terminal.
“The vessel Barumk Gas is lifting Butane at Bonny River Terminal without the authorisation or participation of the NMDPRA.
“This unlawful action is being facilitated with the active connivance of ExxonMobil who have illegally destroyed the locks on the sea-line valve whose keys are in the custody of the Authority.”
“The actions of ExxonMobil and Barumk Gas constitute economic sabotage, criminal damage and theft of Nigeria’s resources. So, the CDS is advised to urgently prevent the sailing out of Barumk Gas until investigations into the matter are concluded.”
Reacting, the ExxonMobil through its Communications Manager, Oge Udeagha, said “all operations of the NNPC/MPN Joint Venture are carried out in full compliance with the law.”
