Troubled: the oil port city of Warri
Nigeria shooting pushes Eni force majeure
Italian giant Eni declared force majeure on exports from its Brass River terminal today as shooting broke out in neighbouring Nigerian oil port city of Warri following days of military helicopter and gunboat raids on militant camps in the surrounding creeks.
One local journalist at the scene told Reuters there appeared to be a gun battle between navy personnel and local youths near to a naval base in the Miller Waterside area of Warri.
Other residents said they could hear gunshots in the port area.
Nigeria last week launched its biggest military offensive for years in the Niger Delta, bombarding militant camps near to Warri from the air and sea before sending in hundreds of ground troops to try to flush rebel fighters out of local communities.
Some companies have evacuated non-essential personnel from the area around Warri in Delta state for fear that militant fighters will launch retaliatory attacks on Africa's biggest oil and gas industry, security sources say.
The Brass River terminal lies in neighbouring Bayelsa state.
Eni declared the force majeure after militants threatened to blockade key waterways to try to prevent oil exports.
Total output affected by the force majeure was 52,000 barrels per day, an industry source said on condition of anonymity to Reuters.
However, according to the Eni spokesperson, equity production affected by the force majeure is 9,000 barrels per day.
Meanwhile, operator Shell said it was also investigating reports of an attack on one of its facilities in the Niger Delta.