By Anthony Nwachukwu
Contrary to a report, Newcross Exploration and Production Limited (NewscrossEP) has lamented that the vessel, MT Prestigious, is still being held by the Nigerian Navy (NN) even as it listed the suspension of over 100kbpd in crude oil production among the consequent losses to its stakeholders.
MT Prestigious, apprehended by a private security firm for allegedly stealing crude oil, was recently reported by the Niger Delta Renaissance Network to have been secretly released to the owners.
However, in an update to the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, NewcrossEP stated that the vessel was still under the navy’s surveillance and close monitoring in Bonny.
In the statement, NewcrossEP explained that after the visit by the IGP Illegal Bunkering Team (“Operation Tantita”) to MT Prestigious on May 2, 2024, the team “alleged that it received reports of illegal bunkering activities of a vessel with an IMO number matching MT Prestigious WD, the second mother vessel deployed in Bonny to support the NewcrossEP barging operations.
“Though no clear evidence of the allegations was shared, written testimony was taken from the MT Prestigious captain, Donna Spectre (barging vendor) representative, and NewcrossEP representative confirming (that) the vessel’s only purpose is to convey crude to Bonny Terminal SBM3.
“Subsequently, a request was made to collect cargo samples for finger printing, which cannot be granted without NUPRC (Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission) written approval and the presence of an independent laboratory.”
NewcrossEP stated further that on Saturday, May 4, the navy “was directed to suspend our operations on MT Prestigious WD and MT Montagu pending the conclusion of the investigation.
It noted that the presence of naval officers and men aboard the vessels in Bonny proved totally baseless the allegation by the Niger Delta Renaissance Network that the vessels have been released.
However, the company called on NUPRC on the IGP Team to urgently intervene in the matter to ensure process and quickly restore operations considering its critical role in generating value for the nation.
It disclosed that suspension of operations on MT Prestigious WD and MT Montagu pending the conclusion of the investigations has numerous financial implications for the nation, including suspension of over 100kbopd in crude oil production.”
Others are: “suspension of gas delivery for domestic and export supply (e.g. NLNG), and disruption of terminal operations and lifting programmes due to low stock inventory,” adding that key stakeholders and operators rely on these evacuation solutions.
