Qua Iboe Terminal News

Nigeria’s crude oil production and exports have been hit by severe outages as a result of attacks on oil infrastructure by rebel fighters in the Niger River Delta. Various sources report that Qua Iboe Terminal has shut down operations until further notice. All tanks on the facility were emptied of crude, operations have ceased completely and all personnel have been evacuated from the terminal, which is operated by ExxonMobil. Qua Iboe is Nigeria’s largest crude oil stream and exports usually more than 300,000 barrels per day (b/d). Exports of Nigeria’s other large crude oil grades, like Forcados, Bonny Light and Escravos have also been restricted, primarily due to sabotage and attacks on pipelines. As a result of the outages Nigeria’s oil production has dropped below 1.5 mb/d.

The Greek-flag tanker Olympic Breeze and the Liberian-registered cargo carrier Harbel Tapper were both damaged when they collided about 100 nautical miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico on September 8, Reuters reported. The Olympic Breeze will continue its voyage for South Sabine, Texas, where it will be inspected. The 273,856 dwt tanker had sailed loaded from Qua Iboe Terminal, Nigeria, on August 19. The 11,683 dwt Harbel Tapper had sailed from Savannah, Georgia, on August 28.