Aiteo Stops Santa Barbara South Oil Well Leakage Following Public Outcry

Following the public outcry caused by the oil spill in Santa Barbara South Well 01 in Bayelsa State, Aiteo, the sole managers of the OML 29 rallied around with other competent hands to resolve the situation.

The environmental pollution occasioned by the loss of revenue drove Aiteo Eastern E & P Company Limited to put all hands on deck to get a solution that would be beneficial to all parties involved.

In a move to get a lasting solution, Aiteo Eastern E & P Company Limited said on Wednesday that the impaired Santa Barbara South Well 01 in its OML 29 production area has been successfully brought under control.

According to the company, an outcome was achieved against the backdrop of very challenging circumstances made worse by the weather. The tidal cycle in the creek and the silted slot of the well resulted in reduced effective working hours.

In a statement issued out by the Group Managing Director, Victor Okoronkwo, the company stated that the aforementioned challenges had impacted grievously on the timeline of the operation.

Apparently, with this successful operation, the company said it can now confirm that there is no more leakage from the well. Even with the dangers of high exposure and risk, the entire operation was executed and delivered with zero negative incidents and zero fatalities.

As part of the cleanup, the company agreed that concerted efforts to limit the spread of hydrocarbons and other harmful chemical substances would now be escalated, while concerted efforts will be directed immediately toward increasing remediation measures.

Victor Okoronkwo, the Group Managing Director, said: "In prosecuting these remediation activities and in aligning with Aiteo E & P’s strategic priorities to ensure uninterrupted continuation of the living conditions and wellbeing of the communities remains the paramount consideration."

"This successful milestone is a remarkable testament to the capabilities that exist within indigenous players when faced with incidents of such magnitude, even when unanticipated.

"Although indigenous participation in the upstream space is nascent, the efforts evident in the management of this incident, especially the remarkable Aiteo E & P HSE Policy, foretell the progress that has been made in building, growing, and elevating both expertise and technical capabilities by indigenous oil companies such as ours.

"The professionalism with which the technical and support personnel execute this significant operation cannot be overemphasized, especially considering the challenging operating terrain.

"The motivation and inspiration that enabled this accomplishment to happen must receive special and deserved mention. We thank the Almighty God, without whom none of this would have been possible. "

Still basking in the glory of this unprecedented achievement, the company expressed profound appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, the Honourable Minister for Environment, Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor, and the Chief Executive of NUPRC, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe.

Okoronkwo continued, "We express our immense appreciation and gratitude to our senior joint venture partner, NNPC, for standing shoulder to shoulder with us during this period. We also specially thank the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Melle Kyari, for his exceptional leadership. In the same vein, we wish to appreciate the cooperation of the Group General Manager, NAPIMS, Mr. Bala Wunti.

"We thank the Director-General, NOSDRA, Mr. Idris Musa, whose insight and focus ensured that sense overwhelmed the slogan; the Clean Nigeria Associates (CNA), and other related and relevant government agencies for their immense contributions, guidance, and belief in our resolve to address this mishap, as well as having faith in us to deliver in these challenging times."

"In particular, we thank Messrs. Boots and Coots, whose unavoidable unavailability meant an unintended compulsion to resort to finding in-country capacity and, in the process, locate both peerless competence and astuteness. To Mr. Victor Ekpenyong, Founder and CEO of Kenyon International West Africa Co., Ltd. (an indigenous oil services company), we owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude for his exhibition of courage and expertise.

"The road ahead in sustaining this successful operation will demand cooperation, unity of purpose, continuing understanding, and patience from all stakeholders towards delivering a comprehensive, impactful, and timeous closure of this incident."

"On our part, we are buoyed by the milestone achieved, and in so doing, re-affirm our undiminished commitment to the Nigerian Oil and Gas indigenous community. I wish to thank the board, management, and staff of Aiteo E & P for their unwavering support during this trying period. "