Oil giant Shell says attacks, vandalism led to loss of 14,000 tons of oil in Nigeria last year

Shell: Almost 14,000 tons of oil lost in Nigeria

LAGOS, Nigeria — Royal Dutch Shell PLC says attacks and vandalism at its pipelines caused the company to lose nearly 14,000 tons of crude oil in Nigeria’s troubled Niger Delta last year.

The company says that’s a significant increase over last year in the amount of oil spilled in the delta, a maze of sensitive creeks and swamplands. The oil giant blamed the majority of the spills on two incidents, one where thieves damaged a wellhead at its Odidi field and another where a bomb planted by militants exploded at the Trans Escravos pipeline.

The company announced the spills in an annual environmental report released Tuesday.

Militants in the restive Niger Delta have attacked pipelines, kidnapped petroleum company employees and fought government troops since 2006.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Royal Dutch Shell PLC says attacks and vandalism at its pipelines caused the company to lose nearly 14,000 tons of crude oil in Nigeria’s troubled Niger Delta last year.

The company says that’s a significant increase over last year in the amount of oil spilled in the delta, a maze of sensitive creeks and swamplands. The oil giant blamed the majority of the spills on two incidents, one where thieves damaged a wellhead at its Odidi field and another where a bomb planted by militants explosives at the Trans Escravos pipeline.

The company announced the spills in an annual environmental report released Tuesday.

Militants in the restive Niger Delta have attacked pipelines, kidnapped petroleum company employees and fought government troops since 2006.