NUPRC Reassures Bille Community Amidst Gas Bubbling Incidents

By Onu Okorie

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (“the Commission”) is
deeply concerned about the gas bubbling incident in Bille Community, Rivers State,
and wishes to assure the community and the public of its utmost commitment to
coordinating industry efforts to address the situation.
The Commission empathises with the community and acknowledges the concerns
that this unsavoury development has raised in relation to public safety, the
environment, and the health of the populace. The overall well-being of our
communities and the protection of the environment remain paramount to the
Commission, as they are to Government.
Upon notification of the incident, the Commission activated a coordinated technical
investigation process in line with established regulatory protocols to assess the nature
and extent of the gas seepage, identify source(s) and potential cause(s), and
propose immediate and long-term mitigation measures. The investigative Study is
being conducted in collaboration with stakeholders to ensure comprehensive, fact-
based outcomes for long-term sustainability.
Preliminary deductions and field observations indicate that the gas bubbling may be
associated with a subsurface phenomenon that could be linked to a variety of
triggers. Detailed geotechnical and geological analyses are ongoing to determine
the contributing factor(s) and possible remedies for prompt implementation.
The Commission assures the Bille Community of its resolve to ensure that necessary
actions required to address the situation are taken in line with applicable regulations,
industry standards and global best practices.
Once again, the Commission commiserates with the Bille Community as we work
assiduously with all stakeholders to unravel the incident, and enjoins members of the
community to maintain the commendable level of responsibility whilst adhering to
all safety measures and public health advisories issued by the relevant authorities.
Signed:
Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan (Mrs.)
Commission Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission
(NUPRC)