Oil Theft: Shell Declares Force Majeure On Forcados Blend

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By Juliet Alohan

— March 26, 2014

The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Joint Venture yesterday, declared force majeure on lifting of Forcados blend effective 09:00hrs, Nigerian time.
A statement by the company disclosed that the declaration of force majeure was due to ongoing repairs on the 48-inch crude export line at Forcados Terminal in the Western Niger Delta.
Shell spokesperson, Precious Okolobo, who signed the statement, said the subsea line was shut when a leak was discovered on March 4, 2014, leading to suspension of SPDC and third party crude oil exports through the terminal.
“Helicopter over flights showed a slight sheen around the export line. A joint investigation conducted by representatives of communities, SPDC, regulators and security agencies determined that the leak was caused by third party interference; unknown persons had installed a crude theft point on the line in water depth of about eight metres,” the statement said.
It added that SPDC has mobilised equipment and materials to the site, and is working to repair and reopen the line as soon as possible.