The cause will be determined by a Joint Investigation Visit, which will be scheduled once the leak point has been excavated.

SPDC is mobilising a team to repair the line after the investigation. Thereafter, the NCTL will reopen for operations.

There has been a recent upsurge in crude theft activities on the NCTL, resulting in frequent production shutdown and massive oil spills blighting the environment. Between the 22nd and 25th of February, 12 flowstations producing into the pipeline were shut down by safety systems three times due to oil theft. The leak on Sunday occurred directly on the NCTL and necessitated its immediate shutdown for repairs.