From Premium Times Nigeria · Ekemini Simon · · 2m
Delta records highest oil spill
Nine oil spills release 129,855 litres of crude in Niger Delta.
In brief
Nine oil spills release 129,855 litres of crude in Niger Delta. Delta State recorded 9 oil spills releasing 129,855 litres of crude oil in August and September 2026. Originally reported by Premium Times Nigeria.
Delta records highest oil spill
Nine incidents released an estimated 129,855 litres of crude oil across Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states between August and September 2026.
Delta accounts for most spills
Delta State recorded seven incidents, Bayelsa one, and Rivers one, accounting for nearly 90 per cent of the total spill volume.
Largest spill incident
A spill of 112,016 litres occurred on 26 August at the W14T wellhead in Okpare-Olomu, Ughelli South Local Government Area.
Spill attributed to error
NOSDRA reported the incident was caused by operational or maintenance error, affecting soil and vegetation within the company’s right of way.
Recovery figures
![Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, [PHOTO CREDIT: Nigerian Ports Authority on Facebook]](https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2026/10/716230728_18402984094159892_2837159792095527570_n.jpg?w=1040&ssl=1)
440.25 barrels (70,000 litres) were recovered, leaving 264.25 barrels (42,000 litres) unaccounted for in the reported figures.
Renaissance spill incident
A 1,590-litre spill from Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited’s six-inch North Bank flowline at Obotobo occurred on 15 August, attributed to sabotage or oil theft.
Bayelsa pipeline spill
Bayelsa State recorded an estimated 14,000 litres spilled from a 10-inch Diebu Creek-Nun River delivery line at Eniwari on 23 August.
Rivers State spill
Rivers State reported a one-litre spill from the 18-inch Ebocha-Ogoda pipeline at Mgbede community on 2 August, attributed to sabotage or theft.
Spill causes
Spills were attributed to sabotage, oil theft, equipment failure, corrosion, and operational or maintenance errors.
Environmental impact
Spills affected swamp vegetation, surface water, fishing nets, and aquatic life, with dead fish observed in the Egwa incident.
Pattern mirrors previous reports
The latest figures follow a similar pattern to July 2026 reports, with Renaissance Africa Energy Company recording four incidents.
Historical context
NOSDRA’s records documented more than 9,890 oil spill incidents across Nigeria between 2015 and July 2025, with Rivers State recording the highest number.
Environmental consequences
The spills threaten land, vegetation, surface water, fishing grounds, and aquatic life, with direct impacts on local communities.
Unaccounted spills
The records provide estimates of spilled and recovered volumes but do not establish long-term environmental damage or compensation.
What to remember
Delta State recorded 9 oil spills releasing 129,855 litres of crude oil in August and September 2026.
