Eni says not mulling exit from Nigeria
Italian energy giant clarifies CEO's warnings
03 April, 18:37
(see previous)
(ANSA) - Rome, April 3 - Italian energy-giant Eni on
Thursday said it was not planning to abandon operations in
Nigera, clarifying that such considerations were in the past and
no longer current.
Earlier, Eni CEO Paolo Scaroni told a Senate hearing that
the State-owned multinational had mulled abandoning its oil
fields in the Niger Delta, where it has operated since the
1970s, due to local criminals.
"Only us, Total, and Shell operate on land in the area. The
situation is very delicate because we're subjected to
bunkering," added Scaroni, referring to the process of syphoning
crude from oil pipes.
"They then refine it, sell the gas and throw the rest into
the sea, creating enormous environmental and economic damage."In 2013 we lost 60,000 barrels per day by closing off the pipes. "We need to produce 170,000 barrels a day and we only produced 110,000".
