Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO) on Wednesday disclosed that it has shut down the leak at OML 29 Wellhead in the Santa Barbara South field in Nembe.
It said it had “shut-in” the well flow and is, among other things, preparing to clean up the wellhead platform and surroundings.
The OML 29 Wellhead blew up on November 3, 2021, in unclear circumstances.
The company,in a statement stated that the leak had now been fully halted.
The statement added: “(We have) successfully installed control packages on both arms. Rig up pump on the long string and pump open the ball valve.
“(We have) closed both control packages and shut-in well flow. We are currently preparing to pump kill fluid into the long string. Note that the short string is already killed and dead with zero pressure.”
The statement explained that the next steps include:
“Complete pumping of kill fluid into the long string (LS). Achieve zero psi on surface.
“Rig down pump and rig up wireline. Drift both tubings and run in hole to install isolation plugs. Install non-return valves.
“Nipple down Christmas Tree and carry out comprehensive service on wellhead and Christmas Tree. Install Christmas Tree and secure well.
“Clean up wellhead platform and surroundings.”
The company had on November 5, 2021, reported to the Nigerian authorities, a hydrocarbon wellhead leak on the facility.
It said the leak comprised about 20 per cent oil and 80 per cent gas.
Aiteo also raised a team comprising members from its internal well operations experts as well as a foreign firm, Boots & Coot to hasten the operation in preparation for the “well kill” in addition to the earlier mobilisation of the Clean Nigeria Associates (CNA), a Nigerian coalition, as part of the attempt to halt the leak.
