Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), operator of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 30, has facilitated the relocation of more than 100 residents in areas close to reported gas bubbles in Uzere, Delta State, as investigations into the source and composition of the emissions intensify.
The precautionary intervention, undertaken in collaboration with community leaders and the local government council, highlights growing concerns over public safety and environmental risks associated with the reported occurrence, while bringing multiple regulatory, emergency response and technical agencies into a coordinated investigation.
The company operates OML 30 on behalf of the joint venture partners, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) and Shoreline Natural Resources Limited (SNRL).
The relocation exercise was disclosed during a multi-agency visit to Uzere involving the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Delta State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Nigerian Red Cross Society, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), OML 30 joint venture partners and other relevant stakeholders.
The development comes as the authorities and technical teams seek to establish the nature, composition and possible source of the reported gas activity, with the outcome potentially carrying implications for community safety, environmental monitoring and petroleum operations in the area.
Speaking during the stakeholder engagement, Jeremiah Oharisi, Manager, Community Relations at Heritage Energy, said the company had prioritised the safety of residents living closest to the identified locations while investigations continued.
“We have implemented precautionary measures to relocate residents in closest proximity to the identified areas, in collaboration with community leaders and the local government council to safeguard their wellbeing, while the necessary investigations continue to establish the nature and source of the reported gas activity,” Oharisi said.
He added that the company’s responsibility to its host communities extended beyond its operational obligations, particularly during periods of uncertainty and distress.
The intervention, according to the company, forms part of its emergency response measures and commitment to maintaining close collaboration with government agencies, community representatives and other stakeholders.
Regulatory, emergency agencies deepen intervention
The multi-agency visit underscores the importance of coordinated institutional intervention in responding to environmental and public safety concerns in oil-producing communities.
Godwin Tepikor, Director, South South Directorate of NEMA, commended Heritage Energy for its proactive engagement with the community and the relocation of residents as a precautionary measure.
He, however, called for sustained collaboration between the company, the Delta State Emergency Management Agency and community representatives to address concerns raised by additional residents seeking relocation.
Tepikor reaffirmed the government’s responsibility to provide humanitarian assistance to citizens during emergencies, stressing that support for affected residents should continue while technical investigations establish the source of the reported occurrence.
“The people affected are Nigerians and, as a government, we owe our people a duty of care to attend to them in times of need and distress,” he said.
Norwegian experts join technical investigation
Beyond the relocation of residents, Heritage Energy said it had sustained gas sampling, air quality assessments and monitoring across identified locations as part of efforts to determine the nature and potential risks associated with the reported emissions.
The company’s emergency response team and dedicated fire department, equipped with five fire trucks, have also been supporting the response.
In a further development, independent technical specialists have been engaged by Heritage Energy to analyse gas samples, while the NUPRC facilitated the involvement of Norwegian technical experts who visited Uzere to collect additional samples for advanced isotope analysis.
The isotope analysis is expected to provide scientific evidence that could help establish the source and composition of the emissions, an important step in determining the appropriate technical and environmental response.
Community seeks sustained support
While acknowledging the company’s intervention, residents have called for continued engagement and additional support to address outstanding concerns arising from the occurrence.
The community disclosed that affected residents had been relocated to hotels within the town, recognising the company’s efforts while emphasising that further assistance and sustained engagement remained necessary.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Uyomatere Ajirioghene commended Heritage Energy’s response but stressed that the intervention should not be regarded as sufficient to address all the concerns of residents.
“In the course of this response, we have witnessed Heritage’s intervention and would like to acknowledge I want to thank them for what they have done so far, even if we have collectively agreed that it is not enough,” Ajirioghene said.
The community’s position points to the need for continued stakeholder engagement, transparent communication and sustained humanitarian support as investigations progress.
The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to Isaac Udogri I, the Ovie of Uzere Kingdom, before proceeding to a town hall meeting with residents.
The meeting provided an opportunity for community members to raise concerns, discuss emerging issues and engage directly with the relevant agencies and company representatives on coordinated measures to address the situation.
