Mend claims attack on Shell pipe

By Upstream staff 

Rebels from the Nigerian rebel group the Movement for the Emancipation of the NIger Delta (Mend) today claimed they had sabotaged a Shell pipeline the latest in a series of attacks in the region.

Mend said it had used explosives to attack the pipeline at Kula river in Rivers state late last night.

There was no immediate independent confirmation of the attack. Shell had no immediate comment.

Shell has been forced to shut 169,000 barrels per day of Bonny Light crude oil production after a pipeline attack in the Delta a week ago, and has said it is assessing the damage from two further strikes on Monday.

It has declared force majeure on Bonny Light exports for the rest of April and May, meaning it cannot guarantee to meet its contract commitments, although it has said some barrels would still be exported while the measure is in place.

"Our candid advice to the oil majors is that they should not waste their time repairing any lines as we will continue to sabotage them," Mend said in a statement emailed to Reuters.

"We have time on our side and there is so much to be destroyed," the group said.

25 April 2008 09:36 GMT  | last updated: 25 April 2008 09:36 GMT