Fire Erupts Again In Trans-Forcados Pipeline In Delta

A pipeline fire has reportedly occurred along the Trans-Forcados Pipeline around the Chanomi creek of Yeye Community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

The incident occurred on Saturday night at about 11:45pm when residents were already asleep.

Local residents told BIGPEN ONLINE that the fire may have occurred from a spill site where repair works had been ongoing.

Chairman of Yeye community, Pastor Philip Fianka had earlier told newsmen in Warri on Monday that there was a severe fire outbreak from a pipeline site in the community.

Mr Sylvester Okoh, the General Manager, Community Relations of Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), operators of the crude oil pipeline, said the fire occurred at a crude oil spill site along the pipeline.

“At about 2300hrs on 19 May 2019, a fire incident was reported at the crude oil spill site along the TF pipeline around Yeye Community. It was gathered that the fire occurred due to excessive heat from a pumping machine which was being used to transfer crude oil from the spill site into a barge,  Okon said.

According to him, “The fire was reported to have destroyed some equipment at the scene. The houseboat and gunboats were safely relocated from the scene of the fire incident”, he added.

Forcados Oil Truckline which transports oil, water and associated gas from fields in the western delta to the Forcados Export Terminal is notorious for pipeline fire and oil facilities vandalism.