Shell resumes oil export from Forcados Oil Export Terminal, lifts Force Majeure

By Nathan Nwakamma

Yenagoa, April 13, 2020

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) on Monday said it has resumed oil exports from the Forcados Oil Export Terminal.

NAN reports that SPDC halted exports on April 4 over ‘unforeseen circumstances’ in its operations.

Mr Michael Adande, an SPDC Spokesman who confirmed the development to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, explained that the oil firm has lifted the ‘Force Majeure’ on Forcados exports Programme effective Monday, April 13, 2020.

Force Majure is a legal clause that absolves a company from legal liabilities due to circumstances beyond its control.

Adande said that lifting of the Force Majeure notice is sequel to the re-opening of the Trans Forcados Pipeline by the operator, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited

NAN reports that Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), operator of the Trans Forcados Pipeline had shutdown the facility on April 4, 2020.

“Subsequently, SPDC, operator of the SPDC Joint Venture, had declared a Force Majeure on the Forcados Oil Terminal Offtake Programme effective 1700hrs of Monday, April 6, 2020,” Adande said.

Meanwhile NAN investigations indicate that the suspension of oil exports may be linked to the oil spill at Angiama community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in Bayelsa in March.

The oil leakage has been traced to equipment failure.

The spill reportedly emanated from Well No. 13 at the oilfield operated by SPDC at Angiama, a coastal settlement by the Nun River.

A competent source, who participated in the Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) to probe the cause of the leak, which discharged a yet to be ascertained volume of crude into the environment said the incident has been investigated and a report was signed by the parties.

JIV is a statutory team convened after any leak by operator, regulators, community and government representatives to ascertain the cause and quantity of oil leakage from oil spills.