Chevron Halts Oil Production in Nigeria

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, July 22, 2002

Chevron Halts Oil Production in Nigeria

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Oil giant Chevron-Texaco announced on Sunday that it has shut down oil production as a precautionary measure after an oil fire and the seizure of four oil flow stations disrupted its operation in southern Nigeria.

Chevron Nigeria's Spokesman Wole Agunbiade said the company hasshut down offshore oil production to the tune of 300,000 barrels per day because one of oil tanks at the Escravos oil terminal in Delta State caught fire sparked by lightning on Saturday.

Chevron is still assessing the damage caused by the fire, whichraged through the night and is under control on Sunday, Agunbiade said.

"There's lot of pollution of the water and the air," he said. "Production will recommence when the teams are sure that the pipelines are clear and safe."

Meanwhile, onshore production from the field in the western Niger delta had already been cut off after a group of women protesters have occupied four oil flow stations belonging to the oil firm in the oil city of Warrinear Escravos, the spokesman said.

"There's a lot of anger in the communities," he said.

The women accused the oil giant of neglecting their communitiesin the provision of employment and infrastructure as well as complained that Chevron's operations have polluted their environment through accidents like Saturday's fire.

Chevron has promised that its negotiators will meet them next week to try to end the protest.

Chevron-Texaco in Nigeria produces about 450,000 barrels of oildaily in 2001, accounting for almost a fifth of the country's daily exports.

Questions?Comments? Click here

43 Hostages Freed in Nigeria: Chevron Texaco

88 Oil Workers Held Hostage in Nigeria

Missing Worker Found, Relatives Mourn ( 5 Messages)

China's Economy Grew 7.8 Percent in First Half Year ( 18 Messages)

Chinese Office Software Challenges Microsoft's Win98 ( 13 Messages)

Gang of 66 Criminals Get Heavy Sentences ( 74 Messages)

Secret of China's Manned 'Spaceport' Revealed ( 3 Messages)

How to View Major Problems in China's Income Distribution System ( 134 Messages)