Shell Continued Nigeria Oil Pumping Despite Marked Pollution Risks

British multinational Shell continued operating a major oil pipeline in Nigeria for years even though it knew it was causing widespread pollution. Internal documents, including emails and presentations, show that the company ignored warnings from its own staff and failed to meet its own technical standards. This happened while the pipeline was subject to significant theft and infrastructure failures.

A senior Shell executive cautioned as early as 2008 about the risks of continuing to pump millions of barrels of unrefined fuel. The pipeline in question is the 60-mile (96.5km) Nembe Creek Trunk Line. It runs near the riverine community of Bille in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta. Decades of oil spills have severely damaged the region's landscape. Wetlands are heavily coated in crude oil and contaminated sediment. This pollution has directly impacted the health, environment, and livelihoods of local residents.

The Niger Delta is a crucial economic region for Nigeria, Africa's largest oil producer. Oil production began in 1958. Shell sold its remaining onshore assets in Nigeria last year. The Nembe Creek Trunk Line was one of Shell's largest and most problematic pieces of infrastructure. It could carry up to 150,000 barrels of oil daily. However, it suffered repeated spills and was a constant target for illegal oil thieves, known locally as 'bunkering'. The oil firm argues in court that most pollution comes from "large-scale oil theft, sabotage" and illegal refineries. Shell states its Nigerian subsidiary invested heavily to reduce spill risks and improve responses.

Internal Shell emails from October 2008 reveal a disagreement between senior executives. Markus Droll, the company's then technical vice-president, raised concerns. He warned about operating the Nembe Creek Trunk Line outside its usual guidelines. "If there is another massive explosive attack tomorrow… then we could well find ourselves in the situation of simply having to close the production down," he wrote. Droll questioned if enough safeguards were in place. He also flagged that other pipeline sections might be in poor condition. Ann Pickard, Shell's regional executive vice-president at the time, criticised Droll for not marking his email as "legally privileged." Pickard acknowledged the decision to continue operations was difficult.

Communities around the Niger Delta are suing Shell in the UK. They are seeking $1 billion (£742 million) in compensation and cleanup costs. The lawsuit stems from over 100 leaks between 2011 and 2013. These leaks resulted from theft and illegal refining activities. According to the UN, at least 13 million barrels of crude oil have spilled in Nigeria since 1958. This amounts to roughly 1.5 million tonnes across at least 7,000 incidents. Environmental campaigners, like the late writer Ken Saro-Wiwa, have long fought for accountability from multinational oil firms.

Residents of Bille describe a once-thriving area now rendered unusable by pollution. Balafama Augustus Bruce, a 64-year-old fisherman and claimant, told the BBC about lost fishing grounds. "Before 2011, this was a beautiful area. People play here and go into the river," he said. He used to catch sardines, catfish, tilapia, and oysters. Now, most are hard to find, or deformed. "Because of that, I've become poor. I eat from hand to mouth." The legal proceedings aim to hold Shell accountable for these environmental and economic damages, highlighting the long-term consequences of oil operations in the region.