Shell confirms pump failure

YENAGOA, Nigeria - The Shell Petroleum Development Company on Wednesday confirmed a pump failure at its facility in Nigeria's Niger delta Bayelsa State.

Spokesperson for the company Precious Okolobo said in a statement on Wednesday that the incident occurred at Nembe Creek 3 flow station.

"A pump failure was reported at SPDC's S Nembe Creek 3 flow station this morning. The pump was immediately shut down," he said.

"However, some oil escaped from the seal into the saver pit in the flow station with some sheen observed within the right of way. The pump has been repaired," the spokesperson said.

"There was no oil spill, and there was no impact on the environment," the statement quoted him as saying.

Meanwhile, the chairman of Oil and Gas Committee of the local community, Nengi James, who was at the scene, told newsmen that the spill resulted from technical fault.

James said the spill had already flowed from the Nembe Creek to the Brass River and to the Atlantic Ocean in the area.

He called on the Anglo Dutch oil firm to pay appropriate compensation and embark on a thorough clean up of the area.