The Federal Government has commenced an investigation into reports of gas bubbling in Bille Community in Rivers State, assuring residents that regulators are actively working to ensure public safety while inquiries continue.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, disclosed that he had been briefed on reports of gas seepage noticed both on land and in nearby water bodies within the Oil Mining Lease 18 corridor where Bille Community is located.
According to the minister, after residents of Bille and neighbouring communities raised concerns about unusual bubbling in surrounding waters, regulatory agencies and oil operators quickly activated a joint response to examine the situation.
Ekpo said the government had taken swift and coordinated steps to determine the cause of the occurrence and to address any potential risks.
He explained that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, in collaboration with operators within the OML 18 area, have already begun field investigations to identify the source and nature of the bubbling.
“As part of the ongoing response, two joint investigation visits have already been conducted at the affected sites, during which samples were collected and sent for laboratory analysis,” the minister said.
He added that preliminary findings have so far not established any direct connection between the bubbling and oil pollution, pipeline leaks, or other operational failures related to oil and gas infrastructure in the area.
