Rise in Crude Oil output Result Of Intensified Battle Against Theft, Says JTF
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Pearl Harold
Rear Admiral John Okeke, Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Niger Delta on Thursday attributed the rise in oio output from 1.2 million barrels per day (mbpd) in January to 1.84 mbpd currently to results of intensified battle against oil theft.
Okeke gave the figure during a review of the operations of the joint military force for the year 2024.
He recalled that following a Presidential Order to increase oil production to 2.2 mbpd, the Chief Defence Staff authorised and intensified crackdown on oil thieves.
“Having worked assiduously to ensure that crude oil production from about 1.2m bpd at the beginning of the year to about 1.83m bpd currently, it becomes expedient for this conference today.
“Of course, this feat came along with challenges resulting in some of our colleagues paying the supreme price.
“The need for today’s conference is to asses our performances and projections for the
Year 2025 which is necessary to sustain the JTF efforts to enhanced Nigerian economic prosperity towards our national development as emphasised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the C-in-C of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” Okeke said.
He explained that following a dip in oil output in the second quarter of the current year, the joint military force launched a 90 day operation which was aimed at restoring oil and gas production to full capacity in the South South and South East geo-political zones.
Okeke recalled that the operation was conducted in 2 phases with each phase lasting for 45 days, adding that the operation ended on Oct 16 with remarkable successes resulting to major achievements.
Okeke listed the results of the enhanced operations to include reduction in crude oil theft and illegal refining activities by about 85 percent within the fourth quarter 2024.
He also said the joint force achieved terminated about 95 per cent breaches on the Trans-Niger, Trans-Ramos and Trans-Escravos Pipelines in the last 3 months and Key Performance Indicator of 89, 96 and 97 percentage in the Eastern, Western and Central Corridors respectively as at Dec 4.
Okeke noted that with the increased crude oil output from 1.2 mbpd in
Jun 24 to 1.83 million bpd as at 11 Dec, attaining the 2.2 mbpd benchmark is achievable.
According to the JTF Commandet, the troops have commenced picketing of facilities of suspected end-users of stolen crude and illegally refined products notably Asphalt plants, Bitumen companies and Hotels.
Okeke also listed bursting of a four-man syndicate that specializes in the production of fake documents since 2011 for movement of stolen crude oil and illegally refined products as syndicate is transferred to the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Also amongst the listed feasts in initiating re-establishment of JTF’s road blocks along East-West Road, PH-Aba Road, Etche – Owerrinta Road, Elele-Owerri Road and Bori-Abak Road.
“Other achievements include: Deactivation of about 1,546 illegal refining sited each with different camps, destruction of over 1,428 storage facilities and 1,121 large wooden boats.
“Seizure and appropriate handling of over 300 vehicles including tankers, trucks, cars and tricycles conveying crude oil and illegally refinec products, recovery of about 15,634,207 litres of stolen crude oil, seizure of about 4,004,968 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil AGO).
“The JTF also seized about 41,770 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene and seizure of
about 273,225 litres of petrol,” he said.
According to Okeke, a total of 1,217 suspects in connection with various crimes were apprehended by the JTF code named, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) within the period under review
The OPDS also achieved enhanced community engagement and mediation between International Oil Companies and host communities resolving about 98 CSR related disputes involving Chevron, SEEPCO, SPDC, Aiteo, NECONDE, TotalEnergiex and OANDO with their host communities.
He explained that to sustain the gains, the OPDS is advocating robust stakeholders support to the fight against oil theft in addition to t with intensified intelligence sharing amongst security agencies.
Okeke identified the need to extend security coverage to gas facilities which hitherto were not target of criminals due to the emerging security threat of attacks on gas infrastructures.
He said that in incoming year, the joint military force would deploy advanced technology by use of tactical drones to provide online real-time coverage of the activities in the JTF’s area of responsibility.
The Land Component Commander of the JTF and General Officer Commanding of 6 Division of Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam and other senior security officials in the South-South region who had earlier held an operational assesment in the region were also at the event.
