Gas seepage: NUPRC identifies 13 high-risk wells in Rivers

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has classified three oil and gas wells around the reported gas seepage locations in Bille community, Rivers State, as very high risk, raising concerns about the safety of nearby facilities as investigations continue to establish the source of the emissions.

The findings were disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the commission’s Head of Media and Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu.

The NUPRC said 10 other wells were rated high risk, while 15 were classified as medium to low risk.

It also disclosed that residents of the riverine community might have to be evacuated if investigations establish that the seepage is caused by a natural geological phenomenon, which could make controlling the underground gas migration more difficult.

The Director of Subsurface Development at the NUPRC, Joseph Ogunsola, disclosed these findings during a technical presentation at the 44th Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists in Abuja.

The statement read, “The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has screened 28 oil and gas wells around the reported gas seepage locations in Nigeria, identifying three as very high risk, 10 as high risk and 15 as medium to low risk as investigations continue to establish the source of the seepage in Bille Community, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.”

The presentation was titled, “Unravelling Gas Seepage and Bubbling in Nigeria: The Integrated Study Approach Towards Source Attribution”.

Ogunsola, who was represented by the Senior Manager, Onshore Frontier Development Drilling, Azibamikiomam John-Adumo, said the commission had constituted a technical team to investigate the unusual occurrence and determine what was happening beneath the affected locations.

He explained that the investigation covered wells based on their proximity to the seepage points and the reservoirs encountered during drilling.

According to him, the team physically visited 14 of the 28 wells but could not access three others because they were submerged.

During the inspections, investigators observed gas hissing from some wells, while other facilities were found to be corroded or vandalised.

The director disclosed that one of the wells being investigated was originally drilled in search of crude oil but was shut down after gas, rather than oil, was discovered.

He said the well was approximately 2.5 kilometres from the seepage location, adding that investigators were examining whether the escaping gas originated from it or other nearby wells.

The distances between the seepage points and other wells ranged from 2.5 to three kilometres, he said, noting that the area was highly explored and hydrocarbon-charged.

The investigation has also moved beyond preliminary field observations to an independent scientific fingerprinting exercise to establish the origin and composition of the escaping gas.

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Ogunsola said the commission was using Gas Chromatography-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry and compositional field analysis to determine the source of the seepage, with results expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.

He said the investigation had progressed from the first reported bubbling incident in October 2025 to an independent fingerprinting campaign within 12 months.

The development comes amid growing concerns over the environmental and health implications of the gas seepage in Bille, a riverine community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, where residents have reported gas bubbling from water bodies, wells, swamps and other locations.

The incident has raised fears over drinking water contamination, fire outbreaks and the safety of residents whose livelihoods depend largely on fishing and other water-related activities.

In July, a Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, visited the community and promised humanitarian assistance, including potable water, medical outreach and firefighting equipment.

During the visit, NUPRC Chief Executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan said preliminary investigations indicated contamination of the community’s first aquifer.

“Our assessment indicates that the first aquifer has been contaminated, and while we work towards a sustainable long-term solution, we will provide potable water as quickly as possible,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ogunsola said the commission and industry operators had mobilised relief materials and other support for affected residents while the technical investigation continued.

The interventions include food supplies, medical outreach, provision of potable water, fire vans and safety kits.

However, he warned that establishing a natural geological source could present additional challenges because of the difficulty of tracing underground migration pathways and designing appropriate interventions.

He said evacuation might become necessary under such circumstances to protect residents from potential hazards.

The commission reiterated its commitment to conducting a coordinated investigation to establish the source of the seepage and determine the appropriate measures to address the situation.