Oil spill forces production cut in Nigeria

June 2, 2006
A pipeline oil spill has forced Royal Dutch Shell PLC's Nigerian subsidiary to cut oil production by 50,000 b/d in southern Nigeria.

Eric Watkins
Senior Correspondent

LOS ANGELES, June 2 -- A pipeline oil spill has forced Royal Dutch Shell PLC's Nigerian subsidiary to cut oil production by 50,000 b/d in southern Nigeria.

A company spokesman said the firm had closed down four flow stations—Nembe 1, 2, 3, and 4—as a result of a spill at its Nembe Creek trunkline.

The spokesman could not immediately say if the spill was due to an accident or to sabotage by militant gangs active in the region.

He said the company had dispatched experts to contain the spill.

Contact Eric Watkins at [email protected].