By Emmanuel Nduka
Aiteo, operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation/Aiteo Joint Venture (JV) Oil Mining Lease (OML 29) has shut down the leak on its Santa Barbara wellhead in Nembe, Bayelsa State.
The leak had started on November 5, with the company subsequently reporting the hydrocarbon wellhead leak on its facility to the Nigerian authorities.
A statement from the company on Wednesday informed that the leak has now been fully halted, while other steps were being taken to consummate the process that started a few weeks ago.
“To the glory of God, we have put out the leak at SBAS-1. We are grateful for all the support. We have successfully installed control packages on both arms.
“There’s a rig up pump on the long string and pump opens the ball valve. Also, we have closed both control packages and shut-in well flow. The team is currently preparing to pump ‘kill fluid’ into the long string. Note that the short string is already killed and dead with zero pressure,” Aiteo stated.
The company had raised a team comprising members from its internal well operations experts, as well as a foreign firm, Boots & Coot to hasten the operation to plug the leak.
That was in addition to the earlier mobilisation of the Clean Nigeria Associates, CNA, a Nigerian coalition, as part of the attempt to halt the leak which was said to comprise about 20 percent oil and 80 percent gas.
On further steps taken, Aiteo added that “Complete pumping of kill fluid into the long string (LS). Achieve zero psi on surface and rig down pump as well as rig up wireline”.
It added that another step was being taken to drift both ‘tubings’ and run in hole to install isolation plugs and non-return valves, and that it “will then nipple down Christmas Tree and carry out comprehensive service on wellhead and Christmas Tree as well as install it and secure well. Thereafter, we will clean-up wellhead platform and surroundings”.
