Eroton Exploration & Production Company has reported a fire incident at its Oil Mining Licence 18 asset.
In a statement by the firm, it said the fire caught the wellhead of the asset located at the Akaso field of the Cawthrone Channel operational area of its OML 18 asset on the evening of Friday.
The company spokesperson, Mercy Max-Ebibai, informed reporters that the well was reported to be releasing hydrocarbon to the environment with wildfire due to suspected vandalisation and bunkering activity attempts “on the XMAS Tree containment valves of the wellhead.”
The statement added, “’An oil-ladened wooden boat was said to have been initially observed in the vicinity and a loud bang was also reported, resulting in the fires drifting to two wellheads, only one of which is still aflame at the point of reporting. Akaso6LS fire has died out while Akaso15L is still on fire.”
Furthermore, the company said an emergency response team had been convened, noting that the company’s engineers were working with a well-control vendor contracted to carry out an assessment of the fire situation.
The team members are expected to design a technical solution and firefighting strategy.
The spokesperson also said necessary regulatory obligations had been adhered to with the relevant authorities duly notified, adding that the company was working closely with the relevant authorities to investigate the cause of the incident and determine the extent of the damage.
According to the spokesperson, the safety and well-being of the company’s employees and host communities remain a top priority.
“We continue to appreciate the effort of the authorities, and the entire oil and gas industry to stem these incessant, unfortunate, and expensive incidents”, the statement added
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