Delta State leads in oil spills with nearly 130,000 litres released

At least 129,855 litres of crude oil spilled in nine incidents across Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers states from August to September 2026. Delta State was responsible for almost 90 percent of this total, according to official oil spill records reviewed by PREMIUM TIMES.

The records published by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) show that seven spills happened in Delta, one in Bayelsa, and another in Rivers. The largest spill involved over 112,000 litres of crude oil from a wellhead in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta.

These spills, which occurred between 2 August and 17 September, were caused by sabotage, oil theft, equipment failure, and maintenance errors. The figures highlight the ongoing oil pollution in the Niger Delta, impacting land, plants, surface water, fishing areas, and aquatic life.

Delta State's major spills

The biggest incident occurred on 26 August at the W14T wellhead in Okpare-Olomu, Ughelli South Local Government Area. ND Western spilled an estimated 704.5 barrels, about 112,016 litres of crude oil. NOSDRA blamed the incident on maintenance errors. This spill harmed soil and vegetation in the area.

The records show that 440.25 barrels, or about 70,000 litres, were recovered. This left 264.25 barrels, equal to 42,000 litres, unaccounted for. The amount spilled in this incident was more than eight times the 14,000 litres estimated to have spilled from a pipeline in Bayelsa during the same period.

Delta also saw a 1,590-litre spill from Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited's six-inch North Bank flowline at Obotobo in Burutu Local Government Area on 15 August. This incident was linked to sabotage or oil theft and affected plants, surface water, and soil in and outside the operator's right of way.

On 4 August, NNPC Exploration & Production Limited reported a spill of 1,110 litres due to equipment failure at the Egwa Well 23 Tango in Egwa 2 community, Warri South-West Local Government Area. This spill impacted swamp vegetation, fishing nets, surface water, and aquatic life. Investigators noted seeing dead fish in the affected area.

Another incident happened on 17 September at Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited's Olomoro Compressor Station in Isoko South Local Government Area. This spill involved six barrels, about 954 litres, and was due to equipment failure, affecting surface water and a fish pond.

Two other spills occurred at Yokri in Burutu Local Government Area. A spill of 159 litres from Renaissance's six-inch Yokri high-pressure bulkline on 27 August was linked to sabotage or theft. A second spill of 40 litres occurred on 2 September from Renaissance's bulkline tie-in, attributed to corrosion. Both spills affected swamp vegetation and soil, with the first also impacting surface water.

The last incident in Delta involved about one litre of crude oil from Chevron's 9B-83 well flowline at Olero RMP 17 in Warri North Local Government Area on 22 August. NOSDRA said this was due to corrosion and affected surface water.

Bayelsa's spill raises alarms

Bayelsa State recorded the second-largest spill, with an estimated 88 barrels, or about 14,000 litres, released from a 10-inch Diebu Creek-Nun River delivery line at Eniwari in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. This spill was reported on 23 August and was linked to sabotage or theft. Investigators found a dent and a tear on the facility, likely from an improvised explosive device.

The incident affected approximately 1.62 million square metres of swamp habitat. Renaissance, identified as the operator, reported recovering 30 barrels, about 4,770 litres, of crude oil, leaving around 58 barrels, or about 9,200 litres, unaccounted for.

In Rivers State, Oando reported a one-litre crude oil spill on 2 August from the 18-inch Ebocha-Ogoda pipeline at Mgbede community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. This incident was also due to sabotage or theft. Investigators found a two-inch ball valve attached to the pipeline. There were no containment measures listed in the records.

Spill patterns continue

These recent figures follow a similar trend found by PREMIUM TIMES in its review of oil spills from July 2026. A report published on 10 August showed at least 10 spill incidents across Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, and Imo states in July. These incidents were attributed to sabotage, corrosion, equipment defects, and operational failures, with Renaissance Africa Energy Company reporting four of these incidents.

The July review also showed spills affecting swamp vegetation, surface water, and fishing nets, including cases where oil leaked both within and outside operators' rights of way. In another investigation from August 2025, PREMIUM TIMES reported that NOSDRA documented over 9,890 oil spill incidents across Nigeria from 2015 to July 2025. Rivers State had the highest number at 4,184 incidents, followed by Bayelsa with 2,118.

The investigation found that sabotage was the main cause of spills. Corrosion and equipment failures also added to the pollution in the area. The latest records make it clear that the problem is not just from people tampering with oil facilities. The largest spill during the review period was due to operational or maintenance error, while equipment failure and corrosion were responsible for other incidents.

The environmental damage is not limited to land. Many spills affected swamps and surface water. The Egwa incident in Delta was reported to have killed fish and harmed fishing nets, directly threatening the livelihoods of those who depend on the water. The records give estimates of the oil spilled and recovered but do not show the full extent of long-term environmental harm, the cost of cleanup, or if affected communities received compensation.