Energy
Crude Oil Thieves Deploy CCTV To Monitor Security Operatives
The lure of crude oil theft has seen culprits go as far as deploying CCTV cameras on trees and mount mortar launchers to spot and counter approaching security operatives respectively.
This is even as the high incidences of the menace across the Niger Delta has seen the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) record over 149 incidences within a seven-day-period.
The NNPCL disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the statement, in one of the incidents, an oil bunkering site was uncovered in Osuobodo between two ANTAN flow stations south of Oguta naval base in Imo state.
It stated, “Far from the regular, these criminals have taken their activities a notch higher. In this camp, CCTV cameras have been installed on trees by the thieves to look out for security operatives.
“Mortar launchers and defence systems were also mounted by the oil thieves in various locations to eliminate any perceived enemy.”
This discovery, according to the state oil company, was made possible after an invasion by the military following information gathered by an air surveillance carried out by Target Energy, Tantita Security Services, Operation Delta Safe and the Military in August.
Offering graphic details, the NNPCL revealed that the oil thieves have become more strategic, sophisticated and daring.
“It is a well-orchestrated mission. The thieves are determined to live here and trade their stolen crude. A lack of electricity is no excuse. Generators are on standby to keep the camp’s operations afloat,” it pointed out.
Drums of crude oil feeding from an illegal connection, bags used for storing crude and more were discovered on the camp, it added.
On the scale and frequency of operations, it noted that “Between the 14th to 20th of October, 2023, 49 illegal connections were uncovered in Udu & Ogharefe in Delta State, Ohaji Egbema in Imo, Brass in Bayelsa and in Rivers state.
“At this spot in Rivers state, oil thieves drilled a tunnel underneath the tarred road to insert their illegal connection. The aim is to operate undetected. This was planned and carried out by an expert, using a horizontal directional drilling machine.”
It pointed out that 16 cases of pipeline vandalism were also recorded this week in Azuzu in Bayelsa state and Obodo Omadina and Ogidigbein in Delta state where a well head was vandalised.
In Ozuaku in Abia state, NNPCL said a vandalised pipeline was currently being repaired.
In addition, 10 facilities used for storing stolen crude were also uncovered in various locations in the Niger Delta in the past week, the statement revealed.
“In Ekpemu in Delta state, an interesting discovery was made.
“More storage facilities were discovered in Ogborode, Ugborodo and Kwale in Delta State, Tomble and Emuoha in Rivers State and Yenagoa in Bayelsa State”.
In Ozoro, Umuosonwu and Patani in Delta State, NNPCL said vehicles conveying sacks of crude oil were arrested and their content confiscated.
Arrests of five vehicles were made between the 14th and 20th of October, 2023.
It also revealed that 18 wooden boats conveying stolen crude were apprehended this week in Rivers, Delta and Imo states.
“Nine of these incidents took place in the deep blue water, 23 in the western region, 67 in the central region and 50 in Nigeria’s Eastern Region,” it added.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has said that 172 Host Communities Development Trusts (HCDTs) have so far been incorporated by oil and gas companies operating across the country.
The chief executive, NUPRC, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, disclosed this while addressing the leadership of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) in Abuja.
Under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), oil and gas companies, referred to as settlors, are required to contribute three percent of their Operating Expenditure from the preceding financial year into a Host Communities Trust Fund for the benefit of communities where they operate.
Eyesan said the NUPRC had been enforcing the provisions of the Act, particularly those relating to host communities and the obligations of operating companies, and had put in place regulations and procedures to streamline the process.
“We have laid out procedures for doing things and we have put regulations in place to streamline the process. So far, we have registered 172 HCDTs and we have been able to manage contributions by settlors,” she said.
READ ALSO: Nigeria Beats 2026 Foreign Reserves Target, Hits $53.1b
She said the trusts had funded the construction of schools, hospitals and other infrastructure, and had contributed significantly to peace and stability in previously volatile communities, which in turn had led to an increase in oil production.
Eyesan, however, admitted that some of the HCDTs had become subjects of litigation over disagreements on the constitution of their Boards of Trustees. She said the Commission had been working to ensure the trusts run smoothly, and that its Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre had played a key role in addressing some of the grievances.
She said that while the RMAFC’s interest in host communities was appreciated, oversight of how the funds are managed remained the exclusive preserve of the NUPRC.
The NUPRC boss also promised to investigate the lingering disagreement between Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO) and its host community in Anambra State.
Responding, the chairman of the RMAFC, Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu, commended the NUPRC for overseeing reforms in the oil and gas sector that had contributed to growth in production.
Shehu said the RMAFC regards the upstream oil and gas sector as important, given that it accounts for a large share of revenue accruing to the Federation Account.
He thanked the NUPRC leadership for honouring the RMAFC’s invitation and called for stronger collaboration between the two institutions in the interest of the country.
Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) shows that crude oil imports by domestic refineries rose by 151.5 percent to 5.13 million barrels in July 2026, from 2.04 million barrels in June.
In a related development, domestic crude supply to refineries fell sharply during the month.
According to the NMDPRA’s July 2026 Midstream and Downstream Statistics, local refineries received a total of 17.88 million barrels of crude in July, comprising 12.75 million barrels supplied domestically and 5.13 million barrels imported.
Imported crude therefore accounted for 28.7 percent of total crude receipts by domestic refineries in July, while domestic supplies contributed the remaining 71.3 percent.
The 5.13 million barrels imported in July represented a significant rebound from the 2.04 million barrels recorded in June. It was also higher than the 2.08 million barrels imported in May and 0.41 million barrels in April.
READ ALSO: Host Community Angry at FG’s Political Undertones on Kolmani Oilfield
However, July’s import volume remained below the 9.43 million barrels recorded in March, the highest monthly volume so far in 2026.
The data showed that crude imports stood at 0.71 million barrels in January before rising to 4.25 million barrels in February and peaking at 9.43 million barrels in March.
Imports subsequently plunged to 0.41 million barrels in April, before recovering to 2.08 million barrels in May, 2.04 million barrels in June and 5.13 million barrels in July.
The report also disclosed that domestic crude supply to refineries declined by 25.4 percent month-on-month, falling from 17.08 million barrels in June to 12.75 million barrels in July.
In January, domestic refineries received 8.83 million barrels of domestic crude and 0.71 million barrels of imported crude, bringing total receipts to 9.54 million barrels.
The figure rose to 13.13 million barrels in February, comprising 8.88 million barrels of domestic crude and 4.25 million barrels of imports.
March recorded the highest total crude receipts at 20.92 million barrels, with domestic supply contributing 11.49 million barrels and imports 9.43 million barrels.
Total receipts stood at 18.37 million barrels in April, made up of 17.96 million barrels of domestic crude and 0.41 million barrels of imports.
In May, refineries received 17.92 million barrels, comprising 15.84 million barrels of domestic crude and 2.08 million barrels of imports, while June recorded 19.12 million barrels, made up of 17.08 million barrels of domestic crude and 2.04 million barrels of imports.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has increased the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) from N1,185 to N1,200 per litre, effective August 26, 2026.
In an official communication to customers issued on Tuesday, the refinery’s Group Commercial Operations announced revised depot prices for gantry and coastal deliveries.
The email, titled ‘PMS Price Change Communication (N1,185 per Litre To N1,200 Per Litre)’, asked customers to take note of the revised DPRP PMS gantry and coastal price, which is effective 26th August 2026.
READ ALSO: US Hails DPRP as Nigeria’s Petroleum Exports Surge Seven Times
According to the table contained in the notice, the coastal price rose from N1,562,265 per metric tonne to N1,582,380, while the gantry price increased from N1,185 to N1,200 per litre.
The refinery further directed customers to return all Authorisation to Collect documents for repricing, adding that a new volume contract would be issued for immediate loading resumption.
“You are advised to return all ATCs for repricing, and a new volume contract will be issued for immediate loading resumption. Should you require any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us,” the notice said.
The latest adjustment represents a N15 per litre increase in the gantry price and comes barely days after the refinery raised the price from N1,165 to N1,185 per litre. The previous increase took effect from midnight on August 21, 2026, according to industry trackers.
However, the latest hike comes against a backdrop of falling international crude oil prices. Data from oilprice.com on Tuesday showed West Texas Intermediate crude trading at $82.13 per barrel, down $2.88 or 3.39 per cent, while Brent crude stood at $88.37 per barrel, declining by $3.80 or 4.12 per cent. Murban crude also fell to $92.71 per barrel, shedding $8.73 or 8.61 per cent.
Our correspondent gathered that marketers and depot operators who received the circular might have begun returning existing ATCs for repricing in line with the refinery’s directive.
The N15 increase could result in higher pump prices as oil marketers factor in transportation, landing and other downstream costs. Petrol is expected to return to an average of N1,250 per litre.
The Dangote Group has yet to respond to messages from our correspondent.
The price increase comes at a time of renewed volatility in the international oil market amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict. Reuters reported that oil prices fell as investors viewed the latest US sanctions against Iran as less threatening to global oil supplies than a military escalation. However, analysts warned that the decline could be an overreaction, noting that prices could rise sharply if Iran retaliates militarily.
Reuters also reported that supply disruption risks remained, with only two commodity vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, the lowest daily tally since early May. The waterway handled about one-fifth of global oil consumption before the conflict began, leaving the market vulnerable to further disruptions.
DPRP Uses Court to Restrain NMDPRA from Meddlesomeness
Group Credits PINL with Safeguarding Environment, Farms
Dangote Threatens Petrol Importers’ Supply Over Product Blending
JUST IN: ‘Nothing Left to Give’ — Messi Announces Retirement From Argentina
INEC Raises Alarm as Fake 2027 Election Recruitment Website Surfaces
2027: ‘We Must Build the Table’ — Opposition Leaders Meet in Abuja to Challenge Tinubu
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
