Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has shut the Trans Niger Pipeline in Gio, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers state.
The shutdown was disclosed in a statement issued by the SPDC spokesman, Mr Joe Obari in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
It was not clear whether Shell was referring to the same Bonny Crude Export pipeline, which the Niger Delta Avengers claimed its men damaged on Friday last week.
Elombah.com, however, gathered that the closure is connected to the recent acts of sabotage by the militant group.
It could be recalled that Shell initially declined to confirm whether oil export has been compromised or not as claimed by the Avengers.
The spokesman said that a fire was observed on the right of way of the pipeline (TNP) at in Ogoni land.
Obari said pipeline is also the right of way of the Bonny–Refinery pipeline belonging to the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
He said that a joint investigation would determine the cause and impact of the fire.
“SPDC has shut the TNP as a precautionary measure pending the investigation,” he said.
The Trans Niger Pipeline is one of two major pipelines that carries the Bonny Light crude grade for export.
The Anglo-Dutch oil giant is joined at TNP by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporaton (NNPC), French multinational company, Total and Italian major Eni’s subsidiary Agip.
The shutdown comes as repairs are completed on the Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) that also moves the major export grade.
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