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20 Jan

OIL AND GAS 2.7B POLLUTION (FORMS AND CAUSES)

FORMS AND CAUSES OF OIL AND GAS POLLUTION:

:: Oil spills: Between 9-13 million barrels of petroleum has been spilled in Niger Delta since 19589.

::Gas Flaring: About 2 billion United States Dollars is wasted every year on gas flaring[1]. Instead of wasting these gases, they can be Liquefied of gas for utilization in cooking and heating can be done.

::Poor administration: Oil companies either circumvent laws or confidently flout them. For example rather than utilize associated gas as mandated by the Associated Gas Reinjection Act, Companies prefer to flare and pay the penalty which in their opinion is cheaper than the cost of utilizing.

::Pipeline corrosion, oil tanker accidents, production operations[2], sabotage, bunkering, accident and negligence of oil companies.

EFFECTS: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) compounds like carbon, methane, benzene, methylbenzene are released to the environment. These chemicals deplete the Ozone Layer. Water, air and land are contaminated and living organisms find it difficult to breed. These have far reaching effects on the health and livelihood of indigenes. Niger Delta is a good example. It is one of the most naturally endowed ecosystems in the world with one of the highest concentrations of biodiversity.

DEFENCES exists Like, Accident, Sabotage can avail the defendant company.

 

[1] Baird J (July 26, 2010). “Oil’s Shame in Africa”. Newsweek: 27

[2] Like the blowout of a Texaco offshore station in 1980 which dumped 400,000 barrels of crude into the gulf of guinea.

Isochukwu

Quite eccentric really

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