Shell declares force majeure on natural gas supplies to Nigeria LNG

By SARAH KENT

Shell's Nigerian unit, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) declared force majeure on gas supplies to Nigeria LNG Ltd. (NLNG) following a reported gas leak on one of its pipelines, SPDC said.

SPDC said the shutdown was currently affecting some 1.5 Bcf of gas a day. In a separate statement, NLNG said the disrupted gas supply is the equivalent of 40%-50% of its usual total gas intake.

"The shutdown will be in place until the source of the leak is identified and necessary remedial actions are completed by SPDC, to ensure safe operation," NLNG said.

SPDC only lifted a previous force majeure on its gas supplies to NLNG in mid April, after a leak on a major trunk line caused by saboteurs caused a disruption to supplies of more than two months.

NLNG is a joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum, Shell Gas, Total LNG Nigeria Limited and Eni International.