The Senator representing Delta North, Hon. Ned Nwoko emphasized the need for a balance between Pan Ocean Oil Corporation’s OML 147 Flow Station and its host communities.
Nwoko during a familiarisation and inspection visit to Pan Ocean Oil Corporation’s OML 147 Flow Station in Owa-Alidinma, Ika North-East Local Government Area.
Assuring the people of the community where the oil company reside, he said it was paramount for the oil company operating in their locality to fulfilling its responsibilities to the host communities.
The senator said the tour to International Oil Companies (IOCs) facilities in Delta North was to ensure the companies operate safely, comply with Nigerian laws, and fulfill their responsibilities to host communities.
The senator specifically enquired on how they manage water obtained after the separation process to prevent spills and avoid environmental and health hazards, given its high acidity, and how its being controlled.
Responding, the Operations Superintendent, Emomotimi Oru who guided the tour and explained how the flow station operates, said that the company treats the water to 15 parts per million (ppm) and stores it in a 6,000-barrel tank. He added that there are plans to treat the water further to 0.5 ppm, making it usable.
Oru said OML-147 is an oil and gas production facility capable of producing 20,000 barrels of crude oil and 70 million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of gas daily.
“The crude oil is processed and stored in tanks before being exported to Ovade, from where it is shipped to the Forcados terminal. The gas is compressed and sent to the gas processing facility at Ovade-Oghara through pipelines”, he added.
On his part, the Host Communities’ Chairman, Obiaha Amechi, expressed his grievance towards the Company’s inability to fulfill their cooperate social responsibility,
Obiaha said, the company does not have any senior staff from the community, no empowerment, no environmental impact assessment, and no trust fund as stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act, adding that they claim they pay royalties to DESOPADEC and NNPC, and referring them to go there to collect what belongs to them.
He expressed satisfaction with the Senator’s visit to the community as it was the first of its kind and that they were hopeful of his swift intervention to their plight.
Highlight of the visit was a tour to various facility sections, including the inlet arrival Manifold section, separation sections, and compression section.
