ExxonMobil Nigerian subsidiary Mobil Producing Nigeria has declared force majeure on exports of Nigeria’s Qua Iboe crude oil, the country’s largest export stream, a spokesman said on Friday.
The declaration came after the company observed a “system anomaly” during a routine check of its loading facility on July 14. “We are working to ensure loading activities at the facility return to normal. We cannot speculate on any timeline for repairs,” the spokesman said. “Qua Iboe Terminal is operating and production activities continue.”
Earlier this week, Exxon denied claims from the Niger Delta Avengers that the militant group had blown up the Qua Iboe 48″ crude oil export pipeline operated by the company. Spokesman Todd Spitler said on Friday there was no connection between the force majeure and militant attacks.
The Niger Delta Avengers has carried out attacks on oil facilities in Nigeria. In a statement posted on its website late on Friday, it warned the company not to carry out any repairs.
“If ExxonMobil fails to listen to us (Niger Delta Avengers), your personnel are going to be our next casualties not pipelines,” said the group.
Exxon has struggled to bring production of Qua Iboe back to normal after an accident in May on a drilling rig that damaged a pipeline, after which the company also declared force majeure.
Since lifting that declaration in early June, there have been roughly three revisions to loading schedules, attributed to a slower-than-expected resumption of flows, with loading delays of at least five days.
