The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has confirmed that the fire outbreak, which started on a dry crude storage barge at Cawthorne Channel 1 in Rivers State, has been successfully contained.
In a statement on Thursday, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, stated that the incident did not disrupt the operations of the flow station in the area. He praised the swift response of emergency teams and industry partners in containing the fire, emphasizing that no lives were lost.
Soneye reassured the public of NNPCL’s unwavering commitment to safety, environmental protection, and operational integrity. “Most importantly, there were no casualties, and all personnel are safe. NNPC Ltd. prioritizes safety and remains fully committed to environmental protection and operational integrity,” he said.
The fire began around 2:10 p.m. on Wednesday on the BESTAF5 barge, spreading to other barges in the area. The Cawthorne Channel, located near the boundary between Bonny and Degema Local Government Areas in Rivers State, is a key hub for oil and gas facilities. Fortunately, emergency teams’ quick actions prevented further damage.
Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the fire.
