Business Day
2 May 2011
Ben Eguzozie .To steal crude oil in the Niger Delta, a region that produces a substantial percentage of the world’s crude oil, requires little tact but enormous bravery. The stolen oil is either sold illegally or “refined” at a “refinery.” There are two main methods – of stealing – rip open a pipeline with a welding machine or with a hacksaw – and knock open the pipeline at a valve point. Both methods are extremely risky – explosion and/or fire are often the outcome. The first method is called “hot tapping” in bunkering parlance. As the high pressure pipeline is ripped open, the crude oil or refined product spews out with much unimaginable speed. The spewing crude oil can do one of two things – or both: flush-over the illegal intruders or engulf them with a hellish flame. Both actions are extremely dreadful – death is often the outcome.
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