Oil explosion in Ondo, Chevron confirms fire at Ojumole Well

By Brakere Birinimighan

Over five oil wells have exploded at Ajegunle Ikorigho, oil- rich community in Ondo State.

The oil field which was located in Ikorigho land has Ojumole-Ikorigho, Isan-West and Isan field, Parable field, Malu field, Ororo and Opokaba oil fields, was named ‘Ojumole’.

Otumara, Ikorigho, Ajegunle-Ikorigho, Zion Ikorigho, Iluayo, Kendo Ayeren and Ehinmoghan-Ikorigho, were among the affected communities.

The cause of the explosion was sketchy as at press time. 

Meanwhile, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the joint venture (JV) between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and CNL (NNPC/CNL JV), has confirmed that at about 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2019, a fire was observed at the Ojumole Well No. 1, an idle and plugged well with no flowline connected to it. 

According to a press release on April 25 2019 in Lagos, by General Manager, Policy Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria  Limited, Esimaje Brikinn, and made available to GBARAMATUVOICE, it was noted that Ojumole field is in NNPC/CNL JV’s Western Niger Delta area of operations.

The statement reads, “CNL conducted an overflight to evaluate the fire and also mobilized emergency responders to assess the site, contain the fire and boom the area.

In addition, CNL notified community stakeholders about the incident and also reported it to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and other regulatory and security authorities.

“A Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to the site of the incident on Saturday April 20, 2019, by a team made up of regulatory agencies, community stakeholders and CNL, determined that the fire incident was caused by third-party interference. There was no impact to any of the neighboring communities.

“CNL is currently working with contractors to safely put out the fire as quickly as possible.

“CNL remains committed to the safety of the communities and the environment in its areas of operation. We continue to conduct our operations safely, reliably and efficiently, with utmost consideration for protection of people and the environment.”