PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA — The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has reportedly classified 13 oil and gas wells in Rivers State as high or very high risk following persistent gas seepage in Bille community, Degema Local Government Area, raising fresh concerns about environmental safety and the protection of residents.
The reported classification comes amid an ongoing investigation into gas emissions that have affected parts of the riverine community, where residents have continued to express fears over the safety of their environment, drinking water and livelihoods.
The development has placed renewed attention on the condition of oil and gas infrastructure in the area and the responsibility of regulatory authorities to identify potential hazards before they result in further environmental damage.
Bille’s gas seepage crisis first attracted attention in October 2025, when residents and fishermen reported unusual bubbling in rivers, swamps and water sources, accompanied by an unpleasant sulphurous smell. The phenomenon subsequently appeared at several locations, including areas within the community.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission activated a technical investigation after receiving reports of the incident in March 2026. The commission said its investigation was designed to establish the nature and extent of the gas emissions, identify their possible sources and recommend immediate and long-term solutions.
Initial field observations, according to the regulator, suggested that the bubbling could be associated with underground geological processes. However, the commission maintained that further geological and geotechnical studies were necessary before determining the precise cause.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and operators working within the Oil Mining Lease 18 corridor have also been involved in investigations, including field inspections and the collection of samples for laboratory analysis.
The reported classification of 13 wells as high or very high risk could represent an important development in identifying potential hazards requiring closer monitoring and technical attention. However, a high-risk classification does not, by itself, establish that any particular well caused the seepage. Further technical evidence is needed to determine the relationship between the identified wells and the emissions affecting Bille.
The situation has also generated concerns about public health and the environment. An investigation published by PREMIUM TIMES in June 2026 documented residents’ accounts of persistent gas bubbling, damaged vegetation and difficulties accessing safe water. It also reported concerns about possible contamination of water sources and threats to fishing activities, which provide livelihoods for many households.
Amnesty International has separately raised concerns about methane emissions affecting rivers, swamps and drinking wells in the community. The organisation called on Nigerian authorities to complete a transparent investigation, publish their findings and take urgent measures to protect residents.
The Federal Government has previously acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. On July 1, 2026, a delegation led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, visited Bille alongside NUPRC officials and representatives of oil and gas operators.
During the visit, the government promised humanitarian assistance, including potable water, medical outreach, firefighting equipment and support for electricity supply. Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara also directed an upgrade of the community’s primary healthcare facility to improve its capacity to respond to medical emergencies.
NUPRC Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, disclosed during the visit that the commission had engaged an international firm to undertake further scientific studies to establish the source of the seepage. She also acknowledged that preliminary assessments indicated contamination of the first aquifer and promised that safe drinking water would be provided while investigations continued.
Despite these interventions, environmental advocates and community stakeholders have continued to demand greater transparency, faster action and clear timelines for resolving the crisis.
Spaces for Change, an environmental and social justice organisation, has also questioned the transparency surrounding the engagement of a Norwegian firm reportedly contracted to investigate the seepage. The organisation has called on the regulator to disclose the firm’s identity, qualifications, terms of reference and expected deliverables.
The latest reported identification of 13 high-risk wells therefore adds another dimension to the unfolding environmental crisis. Attention will now focus on whether the risk assessment will lead to concrete preventive measures, further technical investigations and the identification of any infrastructure requiring urgent intervention.
For residents of Bille, the priority remains the safe restoration of their environment, access to clean drinking water and protection from potential fire, explosion and health hazards.
The NUPRC and other relevant agencies face growing expectations to make the investigation findings public, explain the significance of the reported risk classification and ensure that any necessary remediation is carried out without unnecessary delay.
