The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) stated it has screened 28 oil and gas wells round reported gas leak places in Bille, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, figuring out 13 as top-priority (3 very excessive risks and 10 excessive risks) and 15 as medium-to-low risks, as investigations proceed to find out the supply of the seepage.
In a press release issued on Friday, the fee stated the replace was introduced on Thursday throughout a particular technical paper presentation it hosted on the forty fourth Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE).
The presentation, titled “Unravelling Gas Seepage and Bubbling in Nigeria: The Integrated Study Approach Towards Source Attribution,” supplied an replace on the continuing investigation into the leakage reported in the neighborhood.
In his presentation, the director of Subsurface Development on the NUPRC, Joseph Ogunsola, stated the gas seepage is a brand new phenomenon in Nigeria’s petroleum business, prompting the fee to represent a crew to scrutinise the supply of the bubbles.
Mr Ogunsola, who was represented by a geologist and senior supervisor at Onshore Frontier Development Drilling, Azibamikiomam John-Adumo, stated research carried out in one of many affected areas have helped the investigation crew perceive the underlying geological buildings.
He defined that one of many wells in the realm was initially drilled to search out oil however was shut down after gas, fairly than oil, was found.
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According to him, the effectively is about 2.5 kilometres from the seepage location, and investigations are ongoing to find out whether or not the seepage originates from that effectively or different close by amenities.
He added that different wells in the realm are between 2.5 and three kilometres from the seepage places.
Mr Ogunsola famous that the realm is very explored and hydrocarbon-charged, as proven by the variety of wells in the neighborhood.
This is the primary time the NUPRC has supplied a exact replace on its investigation into the supply of the gas seepage affecting lives and livelihoods in Bille.
In June, a PREMIUM TIMES investigation revealed how poisonous gas rising from beneath the bottom in the riverine neighborhood is threatening residents’ well being and livelihoods.
The leakage, which has persevered for greater than a yr, raised a number of life-threatening issues, together with explosions, disturbing sights and odours, and disruptions to residents’ financial actions.
Gas has been effervescent to the floor from deserted mono pumps and long-abandoned shallow wells throughout the neighborhood, forcing its method by ageing pipes buried underground for many years.
Providing an replace on the well-screening workstream, which types a part of the power and infrastructure element of the investigation, Mr Ogunsola stated 28 wells had been assessed primarily based on their proximity to the seepage places and the reservoirs encountered throughout drilling.
He disclosed that the investigation crew bodily inspected 14 wells however couldn’t entry three others as a result of they’re submerged.
During the visits, the crew noticed gas hissing from some wells, whereas different amenities had been corroded or vandalised.
He additional defined that the investigation has progressed from the primary reported gas bubbles to an unbiased gas fingerprinting marketing campaign inside 12 months.
Recalling that the primary seepage was noticed in October 2025, he stated outcomes of the unbiased investigation, utilizing Gas Chromatography-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC-IRMS) and compositional subject evaluation, had been anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Residents could also be relocated
While investigations proceed, Mr Ogunsola stated the fee and operators have mobilised aid supplies and different types of assist for affected communities.
The interventions embrace meals provides, medical outreach, efforts to supply potable water, fire-fighting autos and security kits, amongst others.
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He warned, nonetheless, that residents may need to be relocated if investigations set up that the seepage is brought on by a pure geological phenomenon.
According to him, tracing the migration pathways of naturally occurring gas and designing applicable subsurface interventions might be significantly more difficult.
He reiterated the fee’s dedication to conducting a speedy, coordinated and built-in investigation to determine the supply of the gas seepage.
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