NNPCL Confirms Rivers Oil Facility Fire Successfully Contained

• The Nigerian National Petroleum Company confirmed that a fire at the Cawthorne Channel oil facility has been fully controlled

• No casualties were reported from the incident, and operations at the flow station remained unaffected due to rapid response

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has confirmed that the fire at the Cawthorne Channel 1 oil facility in Rivers State has been fully controlled.

The blaze started at 2:10 p.m. on Wednesday, originating from the BESTAF5 crude storage barge before spreading to nearby barges. The Cawthorne Channel, located near Bonny and Degema Local Government Areas, is a key site for oil and gas operations in the region.

A rapid emergency response by NNPCL’s teams and industry partners prevented further damage and helped contain the situation.

In a Thursday statement, Olufemi Soneye, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, confirmed that the incident did not disrupt operations at the flow station.

“Thanks to the swift response of our emergency teams and industry partners, the fire was successfully contained. The incident did not impact flow station operations,” he said.

Soneye assured the public that there were no casualties and that all personnel remained safe.

“Most importantly, there were no casualties, and all personnel are safe,” he added.

NNPCL reiterated its dedication to safety, environmental protection, and operational integrity.

“NNPC Ltd. prioritizes safety and remains fully committed to environmental protection and operational integrity,” Soneye affirmed.

Authorities are expected to launch a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that a twin explosion occurred on Wednesday night at two flow stations near the Cawthorne Channel, off the Bonny coastline. The blasts raised concerns about potential damage and casualties, reportedly affecting several facilities about 30 nautical miles from Bonny’s shore.