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Friday, 29 August, 2008, 17:50 GMT | more prices >>

Mend claims Shell pipeline attack



By Upstream staff 

Rebels in Niger's oil-producing Niger Delta said today that they have sabotaged a major Shell-operated pipeline, but the supermajor could not immediately confirm or deny the claim.

A statement from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) said it attacked the Shell pipeline, which crosses from the Cawthorne Channel to the Bonny terminal, at Adamakiri in Rivers state.

"We have decided to step up our attacks ahead of schedule and there will be many more to follow," the group said in an email sent to Reuters.

A spokeswoman for Shell could not immediately confirm whether an attack had taken place.

In September last year Mend said it would resume attacks on oil installations and abduction of expatriates following the arrest of one of its leaders, Henry Okah, on arms trafficking charges in Angola. His trial began this month.

In recent months, the group has not carried out any attacks which have had a further significant impact on oil production.

Shell, however, is producing around 400,000 barrels per day below its full capacity from Nigeria because of attacks and kidnappings by Mend since 2006 that have contributed to a rise in world oil prices.

The rebel group, which demands greater regional control over the Delta's oil wealth, has been riven by factional rivalries. Some of its leaders have expressed willingness to return to peace talks with President Umaru Yar'Adua's government.


Friday, 18 April, 2008, 13:05 GMT  | last updated: Friday, 18 April, 2008, 14:02 GMT

Delta blaze: a pipeline burns after an earlier sabotage attack
 

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