Chevron clarifies reports of ‘five’ burning oil wells in Ondo

Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the joint venture (JV) between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and CNL (NNPC/CNL JV) has refuted reports of five oil wells being on fire in Ondo State.

The company in a statement made available to Ripples Nigeria clarified that there was actually only one oil well belonging to it that went up in flames, contrary to reports that there were five.

Reports had emerged early Thursday that five wells including, Ojumole-Ikorigho, Isan-West and Isan field, Parable field, Malu field, Ororo and Opokaba, were burning.

But a source within the company told our correspondent on Saturday, that a fire was observed at the Ojumole Well No. 1, an idle and plugged well with no flowline connected to it, which is in NNPC/CNL JV’s Western Niger Delta area of operations.

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He revealed that the well is no more in operation, as at the time of the fire, and that investigations revealed that the fire was most probably set off by persons who tampered with it in efforts to steal crude.

The source stated that items found at the site pointed to oils thieves, even as he reiterated that CNL is committed to the safety of the communities and the environment in its areas of operation.

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