Almost a month after, Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO), operator of the NNPC/Aìteo Joint Venture on OML 29, said that it has reached an advanced stage to cap the broken wellhead at its Santa Barbara, Southwest field, in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Although the company had assured that the gushing wellhead would be secured within 48 hours in view of the progress its team of technical experts had made.
In a statement, Friday, signed by the Group Managing Director, AEEPCO, Victor Okoronkwo, said the containment exercise continues, with booms and environmental barges mopping up spilled crude.
He assured that all relevant personnel and experts, local and international, are now on location, adding that marine spread carrying the pumps, chemicals, cranes and fire-fighting equipment are 100% mobilised and have started to sail to location.
The statement reads in part: “The containment exercise continues, with booms and environmental barges mopping up spilled crude. All relevant personnel and experts, local and international are now on location.
“The marine spread carrying the pumps, chemicals, cranes and fire fighting equipment are 100% mobilized and have started to sail to location.
“The crew will night stop at KM45 and take off again first light tomorrow with ETA 12noon on site 2 x 1000MT Ramp barge containing simulation equipment for the well kill also sailed today (Friday), while sailing, concurrent activities are on-going on the barges to minimize clean up downtime, (spotting and hook up of hoses).
“At SBAS-1 the well control package was transferred onto the well platform and the crew carried out an inspection with the Xmas tree and identified THS (tubing Head Spool) to be 2-1/16.
“We commenced RU (rig-up) but could not finish due to bad weather. Forward plan complete RU and install a well control package to arrest the flow.”
Aiteo officials are closely monitoring all activities related to the affected communities, viz. feeding, lighting, hygiene, drinking water and medical requirements with the help of local associations.
Killing the well
On its update on efforts to kill the well, the statement stated that the following measures are being undertaken:
- A team comprising members from Aiteo Well Operations and Boots & Coot is at the well site for site preparation for well control operation.
- Connection of suction and delivery lines of two high discharge water pumps, to be used for well control operation is completed, adding that commissioning of the pumps is in progress.
- Civil work for development of debris laydown area and bunk house placement area is in progress.
- A 1000 Ramp barge containing all pimping and simulation equipment for the well kill is approaching Santa Barbra as per latest report received at 21:00hrs.
- Barge carrying heavy duty well equipment on sail.
- Loading of additional equipment being mobilised from Snake Island is underway and is expected to arrive at the staging area in Santa Barbara by 12:00hrs on 26 November, 2021.
Relief materials
While the sharing of relief materials remain controversial among impacted communities, Aiteo assured that relief materials, including mosquito nets, hygiene and sanitary kits, disinfectants, and food, are being mobilised to the immediate communities impacted by the spill.
Although it had earlier said it is not involved in the “politics of the sharing,” this time around, Aiteo said in its statement that its “officials are closely monitoring all activities related to the affected communities, viz. feeding, lighting, hygiene, drinking water and medical requirements with the help of local associations.”
It added its “HSE teams are monitoring the quality of air every six hours to ascertain the liability of the areas adjoining ground zero.”
