20120416
AFP
French energy group Total has shut down a gas plant in southern Nigeria because of a techical fault during a drilling operation at an oil facility, the company said on its website.

"On April 3rd, Total E&P Nigeria Limited (TEPNG) was alerted about some water and gas resurgence points observed in an uninhabited area close to its onshore Obite gas production facilities on the OML 58 license," Total said on the website dated April 12.

"This event is the likely consequence of a technical incident that occurred during drilling operations on the same site on March 20th," it said.

The company said there had been no injuries from the incident which has resulted into leaks.

"Production from the Obite gas plant has been stopped and wells shut down," it said, adding that experts had been mobilised "to ensure the protection of nearby communities and personnel and to limit the impact on the environment".

No official of Total in Nigeria was immediately available to comment on the incident on Sunday.

Total's Obite gas plant in southern Rivers state exports a capacity of 10.65 million metric cubics of natural gas, and collects oil condensate to mix with crude oil it produces from another area.

The French giant operates the plant in partnership with the state-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.