BREAKING: Fire Erupts at NNPC Oil Well

A fire has erupted at the Akaso 4 Wellhead, operated by Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) 18 Operating Limited, in Rivers State. The incident was reported by *Punch* and confirmed by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in a statement released on Saturday by its spokesperson, Olaide Shonola.

The fire, which has spread along the nearby riverbank, began on Friday around 11:12 p.m. According to Shonola, NNPC 18 Operating Limited has swiftly mobilized a rapid response emergency team to secure the well, contain the spread, and initiate the oil recovery process. The team is using spill containment materials to prevent further environmental contamination.

Shonola also mentioned that a Naval houseboat has been deployed to the area, and community surveillance measures have been established to monitor the situation closely.

The cause of the fire remains unknown. However, Shonola revealed that a joint investigation involving relevant stakeholders is being planned to determine both the cause and the extent of the impact. She also noted that the Akaso Well 4 has been out of operation for a considerable period.

In a related development, Shonola provided an update on the ongoing fire at NNPC’s Alakiri Well 9T, which has been burning since February 23, 2024. The contractor, Kenyon International West Africa Company, has faced challenges in extinguishing the fire using the heat extraction method. They now plan to switch to a total oxygen extraction method to combat the blaze. The necessary equipment is fully fabricated, and the contractor is awaiting mobilization by the well’s owners. Contractor personnel are currently on-site, monitoring the situation.

A meeting with the management of NNPC 18 Operating Limited is reportedly planned to review the safety and integrity of the company’s operations.

Further updates on both incidents will be provided as more information becomes available.