Oando Reboots Crude Pipeline in Bayelsa After Series of Sabotage Attacks

After weeks of silence and environmental tension in the oil-rich Niger Delta, Nigerian energy giant Oando PLC has confirmed the full restoration of its crude pipeline operations in Bayelsa State, following the successful repair of multiple sabotage-induced breaches.

The company, in a low-profile operation that began late April, worked with security agencies and local contractors to seal four critical spill points along its primary transport route, which had been shut down due to deliberate tampering. The attacks, which industry insiders blame on local criminal elements and oil thieves, had halted crude movement in the region and threatened the company’s export schedule.

Sources familiar with the operation told Dobblog that repairs were completed “under tight security and heavy surveillance” to prevent further damage during restoration. The line, which feeds crude from the inland fields to export terminals, is now back online.

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“This is a major win for both the company and the host communities,” said an Oando engineer who worked on the repairs but asked not to be named. “The sabotage not only delayed operations but also put a lot of pressure on local ecosystems and livelihoods.”

Bayelsa residents in the affected areas, who had earlier raised alarm over oil leaks into farmlands and creeks, welcomed the development but called for stronger community engagement from oil firms.

Activist and local environmental watchdog leader Preye Ebikeme warned that more damage could occur if energy companies fail to invest in surveillance technology and work closely with locals to monitor pipelines.

“These pipes run through our backyards,” Ebikeme said. “If you ignore the communities, you’re opening the door for more vandalism.”

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This is not the first time sabotage has crippled Oando’s operations in the Niger Delta. But the company says it is now exploring drone surveillance, local patrol incentives, and tech-based early detection systems to stay ahead of future threats.

Industry experts say that if the pipeline remains stable through Q2, Oando could increase its daily throughput and potentially meet its 2025 export target, a critical boost amid rising global oil demand.