Chevron Nigeria Limited has announced that the fire at the Ojumole Well No. 1 in Ondo State has been safely put out, more than two months after it broke out.

CNL is the operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and CNL, and Ojumole field is in NNPC/CNL JV’s Western Niger Delta area of operations.

In a statement on Monday, the oil major thanked all the stakeholders, including the neighbouring communities, Ondo and Delta states, governments, regulatory authorities and security agencies that “worked with the NNPC/CNL JV to ensure that the fire incident caused by third-party interference, was safely put out.”

The General Manager Policy, Government and Public Affairs, CNL, Esimaje Brikinn, said accredited independent environmental consultants had been continuously monitoring the environment since the incident occurred with support from regulatory agencies.

“In addition, CNL employees are on site and normal activities are ongoing in the area,” it added.

According to him, CNL is currently diligently working on all the requisite post-incident activities, which will be consistent with the relevant environmental laws, regulations and guidelines.

Esimaje reiterated CNL’s commitment to protecting people and the environment, emphasising that CNL placed the highest priority on the health and safety of communities neighbouring its areas of operation, its workforce and the protection of the environment and its assets.

“We continue to conduct our operations safely, reliably and efficiently, with the utmost consideration for protection of people and the environment,” he added.

Chevron had on April 25 confirmed that at about 10.00 pm on April 18, 2019, a fire was observed at the Ojumole Well No. 1, an idle and plugged well with no flowline connected to it.