The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has discovered 77 illegal refineries and pipelines in the Niger Delta region within one week.
The discoveries were made during operations between January 18 and 24, 2025, as part of efforts to stop crude oil theft.
A breakdown of the findings showed that 58 illegal refineries and 19 illegal pipeline connections were uncovered. The operations also led to the arrest of 25 suspects and the discovery of several illegal oil installations.
“An industry-wide security collaboration to safeguard hydrocarbon infrastructure continues to yield remarkable results,” the NNPCL said in a video documentary released on its official YouTube channel on Tuesday.
The company also revealed that it recorded a total of 159 incidents of oil theft across different parts of the region.
NNPCL listed the companies and stakeholders involved in the operation, including its Command and Control Centre, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd, Maton Engineering Nigeria Ltd, Shell Petroleum Development Company Ltd, Oando PLC, and various government security agencies.
This latest discovery comes just a week after the NNPCL found 55 illegal refineries and 29 illegal pipeline connections.
Some of the major incidents recorded included a breach on the Oando to NLNG Bonny gas pipeline system in Rivers State, vandalism of a gas pipeline that disrupted supply to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), and several cases of crude oil pipeline vandalism in Ikenzi and Oruma, Bayelsa State.
Similar illegal activities were also discovered in Ugu, Edo State; Ipu South, Abia State; and Buguma, Rivers State. The NNPCL stated that all illegal connections had been removed and necessary repairs had been completed.
Illegal refineries were found in locations such as Bile, Bonny, Oigu, Okoloma, Ayama, and Ward 7 in Dema Abe, all in Rivers State.
In the Niger Delta region, the 159 incidents of oil theft were spread across different areas: seven in the Western corridor, 72 in the Central corridor, 41 in the Eastern corridor, and 39 in the Deep Blue water.
The NNPCL reaffirmed its commitment to fighting crude oil theft, saying it remains determined to end the menace.
