Artisanal refining of crude oil in the Niger Delta: A challenge to clean-up and remediation in Ogoniland

Abstract

While the activities of multinational oil corporations contribute significantly to oil pollution and environmental degradation in most oil-producing countries, the extent to which illegal artisanal refineries contribute to the environmental problems in Niger Delta remains unclear. Extant literature attributes this to the expanding activities of the artisans as well as the use of crude technology in illegal oil refining. Given the widespread nature of the artisanal oil-refining economy in the Niger Delta region, we assess its contribution to the growing environmental pollution in the region. By artisanal oil refining, we mean small-scale crude oil processing or subsistent distillation of petroleum that is often outside the boundaries of the state law. This study links the continual failure of the clean-up programme in the Niger Delta to the booming artisanal crude oil-refining economy in the region. Using predominantly qualitative methods of data collection and content analysis, we adopted the enterprise value chain analysis to underscore the underlying local economic interests and external economic opportunities that sustain oil bunkering, oil theft and petro-piracy. We conclude that these illegal refining processes significantly undermine the Ogoniland clean-up project and make the remediation programme unsustainable in Nigeria.

Survey of Wastewater Issues Due to Oil Spills and Pollution in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria: A Secondary Data Analysis

“…While some CSR initiatives have contributed to community development and environmental management, concerns remain about the adequacy of these efforts in addressing the systemic issues underlying wastewater problems in the region (Amaeshi et al, 2016). Onuh et al (2021) have contended that the environmental degradation and oil pollution in most oil-producing nations are not solely the responsibility of multinational oil corporations. Instead, they have highlighted that the illegal activities of artisans and their use of crude technology in illegal oil re ning also contribute signi cantly to the environmental issues in the Niger Delta.…”

Implications of Artisanal Crude Oil Refining on Sustainable Food Production in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

“…In addition, the environmental catastrophe is to blame for the people losing their sources of income in the first place. Onuh et al [55] opine that although big oil companies are polluting the environment in the Niger Delta, they are not entirely responsible. This is because unregulated artisanal refineries have made the situation much worse by using old and inefficient technology.…”

“…It has been known for a long time that it poses a serious risk to the way of life of the people who live in oil-producing regions, the majority of whom make their living as fishermen, farmers, and craftsmen. The fact that it poses this risk has been recognized for a long time [55]. The fact that ACOR is still in operation, despite the damage they inflict on the environment and the hazards they pose to people's health, is because it is very profitable.…”

Assessment of Respiratory and Reproductive Impacts of Artisanal Refinery Activity on Male Albino Wistar Rats: Implications for Environmental Health

“…In some cases, artisanal re neries may be linked to social issues, including con ict, illegal trade, and exploitation (John & Nnadozie, 2021; Mezie-Okoye, 2022). The de nition and characteristics of artisanal re nery activity underscore the distinctive nature of this informal oil extraction and re ning practice (Onuh et al, 2021). The decentralised, rudimentary, and often unregulated nature of these operations, coupled with their associated environmental and health risks, highlight the urgent need for research, interventions, and policies to address the challenges posed by artisanal re nery activity.…”