A major crude oil spill has occurred in Nigeria's Ogoniland region following the rupture of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) on May 6, 2025. The pipeline, which transports crude oil to the Bonny export terminal, burst in the B-Dere community, causing significant environmental damage and raising fresh concerns about the safety and sustainability of oil operations in the Niger Delta.

This is the second incident involving the TNP in just two months. In March, the pipeline was shut down due to an explosion and fire in the nearby Bodo community. The TNP is a crucial component of Nigeria’s oil infrastructure, with a daily capacity of 450,000 barrels, and is essential for the export of Bonny Light crude—one of the country’s primary oil grades.

The latest spill was reported by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation, an environmental rights group that criticized the slow response from authorities and pipeline operators. The group's executive director, Nnimmo Bassey, described the reaction as neglectful and warned that such incidents continue to threaten the environment and health of the people living in the region. He called for the decommissioning of aging oil wells rather than investing in new ones, emphasizing the long-term damage caused by recurring oil spills.

The Renaissance Group, which recently took over the operation of Shell’s former onshore assets including the TNP, confirmed the pipeline explosion and stated that an investigation team has been deployed to assess the damage. However, there has been no official statement on whether the pipeline has been shut down. If operations are halted, the company may be forced to declare force majeure, potentially impacting crude oil exports and revenue.

The Nigerian police have taken steps to investigate the series of pipeline disruptions. In March, two suspects were arrested in connection with the previous TNP explosion in Bodo. The Rivers State Police Command confirmed the arrests and said investigations are ongoing to determine whether sabotage played a role in the incidents.

The spill has intensified long-standing grievances in Ogoniland, a region that has suffered from decades of oil pollution, poor remediation efforts, and lack of compensation for affected communities. Despite the economic significance of oil to Nigeria—which provides about 90% of the country’s foreign exchange—local residents continue to live with the toxic consequences of oil extraction, while reaping few of its financial benefits.

In an effort to maintain crude oil exports following the March explosion, Renaissance rerouted oil through an alternative line that passed an integrity test. This allowed continued operations while the damaged section of the pipeline is under repair. However, experts warn that repeated disruptions could lead to significant economic losses, increased production costs, and even affect Nigeria’s ability to meet its OPEC production targets.

As environmental and economic pressures mount, there are growing calls for more responsible oil industry practices, greater investment in infrastructure maintenance, and stronger government oversight to prevent future disasters in the Niger Delta. The latest incident in B-Dere underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive review of oil operations in Nigeria’s onshore regions.