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Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell announced the closure of a third flowstation in Nigeria, following the alleged sabotage of a pipeline, bringing a loss in crude oil production to 180,000 barrels per day (bpd).
"We have today (Wednesday) deferred 180,000 bpd following the closure of a third flowstation. We have shut down Bonny flowstation in order to enable us contain the fire, which is still raging, and carry out repairs," a company spokesman said.
"The fire has not gone out because it is being fed. Hence, the need to close another flowstation," said the official, who demanded anonymity.
Earlier, the spokesman said Shell teams were struggling to put out the fire that engulfed a pipeline allegedly sabotaged Tuesday by unknown persons in the southern Niger Delta region.
The fire, apparently caused by a dynamite attack according to an initial probe, cut production and this has not resumed.
"We have not resumed operations for now. It is impossible. After fighting the fire, we will have to repair the pipeline and see what again needs to be repaired before we can resume operations," he said.
Shell initially announced Tuesday that unknown persons attacked its pipeline near the main oil city, Port Harcourt, resulting in a major spill and fire and slashing production by 170,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude, accounting for about seven percent of Nigeria's total crude export.
"Preliminary investigations reveal that the fire may have been caused by a dynamite attack carried out by unknown persons. To help curb the fire, Shell shut its production from Diebu Creek and Nun River fields as well as all land area facilities except Rumuekpe. Some 170,000 bpd net oil have been deferred," the company said in a statement.
Shell officials Wednesday still declined to comment on whether lives were lost in the explosion, which affected badly nearby communities.
"The number of affected communities is yet to be determined but we understand that some nearby settlements may have been impacted. We have mobilized a medical team that is now on standby in Port Harcourt," the Shell text said.
Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer and the world's sixth with 2.5 million bpd.
The oil-rich Niger Delta is volatile and a frequent scene of banditry and piracy, the kidnapping of oil workers, and stealing of crude oil by youths and militia groups demanding a major share in oil income for the local population.
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