Nigeria Delta Flashcards
Give some background to Nigerian oil production
Largest oil producer and exporter in Africa
Holds the largest natural gas reserves in Africa (though Algeria is largest producer) as has limited infrastructure in place
Hydrocarbon sector accounted for over 95% Nigeria’s export earnings in 2011
Light Nigerian Cruse oil is the best quality oil in the world and the least expensive to refine
When did oil production peak
2005at 2.5mbpd but fell because of militant action
A recent amnesty saw production rise to an average 2.15 mbpd in 2012
Where is the Nigeria Delta located
Southern Nigeria where the River Niger drains into the Gulf of Gumea
Encompasses several Nigerian states
When was oil fist discovered
1956 by Shell-BP
What happened in 1977
Government established the Nigerian Petroleum Company which gave Nigeria. pro control over its oil resources
But still reliant in the investment oil large TNC’s sun as Shell and Exxon Mobil to explore and develop new reserves + provide the infastructure
Who benefits from the oil produced and what is the situation for the locals
TNC’s - Shell
Only a small proportion of oil is supplied to domestic market. Petrol unavailable to most Nigerians as to expensive
Local groups are largely excluded form the benefits of oil wealth and seek a share by attaching the oil infrastructure
Nigeria earns $10 billion per year form oil but Nigeria Delta remains largely in poverty. Niger Delta Avengers want a independent sovereign state
In what ways has energy production in the Delta been compromised
Oil that (bunkering) and pipeline sabotage leads to damage, loss of production and shut fdown of production
Pipeline infrastructure not well maintained - leaks because of corrosion
Why has there been an increase in tensions in the area
Islamic extremist group in the North has caused withdrawal of the army so less military protection
Region already has many ethnic and religious tensions due to variety of different tribes
Environmental devastations associated with the il industry along with uneven distribution of il wealth served to escalatoe ethnic and religious tensions
Give two eampe,s of uneven distribution fo wealth
Nigeria earns $10 billion per year form oil, ut Delta remains largely in poverty
Less than 20% of region accessible by good roads, hospitals and schools seriously underfunded
How effective have attempts to manage th situation been
Flaring was made illegal in 2010, however environmental groups accuse Shell fo failing to do this because of the expense
Amnesty agreed on 2010 which only tenpoariliy reduced attacks
Shell ordered to pay compensation to Nigerian farmers but still being battled in court
Give some environmental damage caused
Forest fires in rainforests and mangroves surrounding oil installations are fairly common and can be triggered by gas flares, explosions or igniting oil
Fires can take weeks to extinguish and destroy much of the coal farmland/natural forest
Contaminated water reduces accessibility to safe drinking water
Families live among the oil fields, inhaling methane gas and coping with frequent oil leaks
Thousands of barrels leaked into Delta’s precious wetlands each year, more oil is spilled from the Delta’s pipes each year than from Deep water Horizon
