Impact of Extracting and Transporting Petroleum on Environment

Abstract

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Although oil industry contributes immensely to the economy of Nigeria, environmental and health effects associated with oil production have attracted a lot of attention from many scholars. The objective of this research was to investigate the current environmental, human health and decommissioning issues, associated with crude oil extraction and transportation in the Niger Delta of the oil producing region of Nigeria. The study employed the mixed method and case study design to probe the research question. Secondary data was collected from relevant journal articles, websites, and other authentic sources regarding the topic of study in order to probe findings from literature in more depth. The research conducted a thematic analysis of the collected data to make a conclusion. The findings of this study show that activities and operations involved in oil extraction and transportation, and decommissioning of oil installations and facilities are currently bearing significant negative impacts on the environment and the health of host communities living in Nigerias oil-producing Niger Delta region. The researcher provides several recommendations that can help address the oil related issues and problems in this region.

Chapter One: Introduction

1.1 Introduction

The exploration, extraction, and transportation of petroleum in the Niger Delta petroleum producing region of Nigeria have had a significant positive impact on the countrys economy over the previous decades (Ite et al., 2013, p.2; Medugu, 2012, p.2). The petroleum industry is a labor intensive sector in Nigeria that has increasingly contributed to the overall development and improvement of the nations economy, as well as created numerous job opportunities for the local communities (Kadafa, 2012, 39). However, the activities and processes involved in the oil exploration, extraction and transportation have equally had local detrimental and serious adverse consequences on the local ecosystem, including the atmosphere, soils and sediments, water (both surface and groundwater), and the marine ecosystem, as well as the terrestrial ecosystems across the Niger Delta region (Ite et al., 2016, 22).

Discharges of petroleum hydrocarbon and petroleum, as well as momentum oil spills, have to lead to serious ecological pollution, adverse health effects to the local community, socio-economic challenges, and general degradation of local populations across the nine petroleum-generating states in Nigerias Niger Delta area (Ite et al, 2013, p.79). Edabgeri is a host community in River State in the larger Niger Delta region, which lie on the south-east of Nigeria (Pitkin, 2013, p.3). This area is the hub or over forty petroleum wells coupled with numerous oil pipelines leading to a Shell flow station situated in an adjacent town (Nwuche and Anyanwu, 2011, p.7). From 2006 stretching three years to 2009, the Edabgeri community reported sixteen (16) oil spills, the majority of which resulted from system failures, particularly dilapidated pipelines (Pitkin, 3023, p.7).

Since these pipelines have been subject to vigorous use and have accorded poor maintenance, wear and tear have taken a serious toll on them causing these oil spills (Odjuvwuederhie and Gordon, 2006, p.3). Some of the negative outcomes attributed to these spills are the devastation of the local fishery sector, serious environmental pollution that is increasingly undermining the potential of agricultural land to support the poor fishermen and farmers throughout the region (Odjuvwuederhie and Gordon, 2006, p.3). Oil spills bear serious consequence on the host environment into which it is released. Among other adverse effects, oil spillage destroys the Niger Deltas mangrove forests that are extremely vulnerable to petroleum. This impact can be explained by the idea that oil spillage results into the accumulation of oil in the soil and releases it every year with inundation (Eweje, 2006, p.29). Findings from environmental studies reveal that about five to ten (5-10%) of the mangrove forests in this area been opportunities for the leak, with the majority of pipelines and flow lines installed above the ground and are estimated to be over 2o years old (Ite et al., 2013, p.81). This research seeks to explore the current environmental, health and decommissioning concerns associated with crude oil extraction and transportation in the Niger Delta Oil producing region of Nigeria.

This first chapter provides an introduction to the research topic, identifies the research question and objectives. Furthermore, this chapter provides an overview of the research methodology method, including the search strategy, data collection and analysis methods and techniques. It concludes with a summary of the entire chapter.

Research Question

What are the current environmental, health and decommissioning issues associated with crude oil extraction and transportation in the Niger Delta oil-producing region of Nigeria?

Research Objectives

To explore the environmental impact brought on by extracting petroleum and transporting it within Niger Delta.

To investigate the health effects and risks of oil extraction and transportation to the host communities in the Niger Delta.

To identify the decommissioning strategies and practices and their impact on the environment and the individuals in the area as well.

To provide recommendations aiming at improving the oil producing companies response to the above issues and challenges

Rationale for the Research Topic

Significant developments and improvements have been made in the extraction and transportation of petroleum resources, making the oil industry to contribute enormously to energy demand and economic development not only at the national level but also on the global front over the past few decades (Omofonmwan and Odia, 2009, p.26). Unfortunately, such advancements had left profound adverse consequences on both physical and biological environments, as well as negative health impacts on local communities living in the oil producing regions, which Nigerias Niger Delta is a part. Apart from the loss of oil-generated income to corruption and the weak regulatory framework within which petroleum producing corporations operate, the Niger Delta region is increasingly witnessing significant environmental pollution, degradation of the local ecosystem, serious human health risks, and socio-economic issues tied to the extraction and transportation of petroleum (Bayode and Adewumni, 2010, p.110). Although being ranked the 8th largest petroleum producer worldwide, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) reveals that Nigeria falls among some of the poorest nations across the globe as measured by UNDPs Human Development Index (Ite et al., 2016, p.22).

Table 1.1 Prevalence Gas Flaring Sub-Saharan Countries (1995-2010)

Country 1995 2000 2005 2010

Angola 4.51 5.94 4.72 4.08

Cameroon 1.15 1.19 0.97 0.92

Chad 0.00 0.00 0.09 0.05

Congo 1.08 2.02 1.79 1.88

Cote dIvoire 0.06 0.09 0.04 0.09

DRC 0.53 0.43 0.44 0.39

Eq. Guinea 0.61 1.21 1.36 0.39

Ghana 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.02

Nigeria 27.09 27.19 21.25 15.18

Gabon 2.15 2 2.54 2.36 1.68

S. Africa 0.06 0.13 0.14 0.10

Global 154.97 164.90 171.65 133.90

Source (European Parliament, 2011, p.23).

Over these decades, a significant number of studies and scholars have attempted to explore this phenomenon to suggest possible solutions for addressing the challenge. Moreover, several environmental laws and regulations have been institutionalized with the primary purpose of providing proper regulation of the oil industry in the Niger Delta (Ite et al., 2016, p.22). The federal government of Nigeria, in collaboration with other nations and international bodies, has played tremendous roles in the development of international environmental law that seeks to create environmental agencies and laws and to ensure that effective application of strategies for conversation and management of oil (Eweje, 2013, p.31). However, little research has focused on the emerging ecological, health and decommissioning effects of petroleum extraction and transportation within this...