Sources and Impacts of Oil Spills in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Abstract

Though crude oil production has its attendant high risks, it is one of the largest and most profitable businesses in the world. From its development phase to production phase, many disasters are bound to occur in the industries. Oil spill is the most important type of environmental disaster which usually occurs. It has impact on humans as wells as on plants and wild life, including birds, fish and mammals. Sources of spill ranges from equipment failures, human errors, accidents, sabotage and illegal bunkering activities on the production facilities. (Oil theft, sabotage and spills-Shell Companies in Nigeria publication April 2014). Good Industry operating and maintenance procedures are key to reducing incidents of oil spills. Prompt spill response management is a key success factor in reducing escalation of the attendant negative impacts on the environment by deploying a workable contingency plan suitable to the specific environment of importance.