TheCable

Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) has refuted allegations that it is responsible for oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

Kabiru Rurum, chairman of the house of representatives ad hoc committee investigating crude oil theft had blamed Chevron, Shell, the host communities, and other stakeholders for the oil theft that has hindered the growth of the industry.

Rurum invited the parties involved to appear before the committee to tell their side of the story.

In a statement on Saturday, Esimaje Brikinn, general manager of policy, government, and public affairs at CNL, said the allegations are “untrue, incorrect, and made without any basis.”

CNL said it is committed to preventing oil theft and pipeline vandalism in its area of operation and has taken a number of steps to do so.

The oil firm said illegal bunkering and oil theft in the Niger Delta region has negatively impacted its operation and has devastating effects on the nation’s economy and the environment.

“CNL continues to monitor the environment in its areas of operations and report any suspected illegal activity and breaches to the relevant government security forces and regulatory agencies,” the statement reads.

“CNL has helped in reducing pipeline vandalism and oil theft in Niger Delta region by collaborating with communities around the areas of the company’s operations to set up the Community Pipeline and Facilities Surveillance Programme (CPFSP) in 2005.

“Through the CPFSP, CNL continues to tackle the challenge of oil theft and pipeline vandalism and engage the community youth in pipeline surveillance to reduce oil theft in CNL’s area of operation.

“CNL also deploys security surveillance equipment and other technologies in addition to physical water-borne patrols by the CPFSP and the government security forces.”

The energy firm also said it is “working with government agencies and others to prevent oil theft”.

The spokesperson said the company’s impact on the environment was recently commended by the special investigation panel on oil theft/losses in Nigeria set up by the federal government during their visit to CNL’s operations.

“CNL is committed to the highest ethical standards and business principles. CNL operates as a responsible company and conducts its business in full compliance with the law and in a socially and environmentally responsible manner,” he said.

“CNL will continue to work with the Nigerian government towards the development of the oil and gas industry and the Nigerian economy generally.”

On September 8, the house of representatives said oil theft has drastically hampered the growth of the country’s oil production, with Nigeria losing between 5 percent and 30 percent of daily production.

The house said Nigeria lost N16.25 trillion to oil theft in 11 years.