(Ecofin Agency) - Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) on Friday announced that it has shut down the Nembe Creek Trunk Line which exports Bonny Light crude oil, one of Nigeria’s crude oil grade.

According to the Managing Director of SPDC, Osagie Okunbor (photo), the company is working to “remove a significant number of oil theft connections and repair any leaks on pipeline”. “SPDC will work with the security forces during shutdown to clear illegal connections on NCTL,” he said.

The Nembe Creek line, which is situated in the Niger Delta region, seconds the Trans-Niger Pipeline which transports crude oil to export terminals. An export of about 232,000 barrels per day of oil (bopd) was planned for April but it is unclear how much of this would be affected by the shutdown, according to Reuters.

Anita Fatunji