Shell still facing serious safety issues years after devastating oil spill
- The 2011 oil spill from the Bonga ship resulted in major environmental damage and significant financial penalties for Shell.
- A 2022 safety review revealed ongoing critical safety issues with Shell's oil production fleet, particularly concerning the Bonga.
- Persistent safety problems raise questions about the company's safety culture and commitment to addressing past failures.
In Nigeria, a significant oil spill occurred in 2011 when a pipe connecting Shell's production ship Bonga to a tanker leaked, resulting in the discharge of 40,000 barrels of oil into the Atlantic Ocean. This incident was one of the most severe spills in the region for a decade and led to a $3.6 billion fine, which is still under appeal. A 2022 internal review revealed ongoing safety issues within Shell’s fleet, particularly highlighting the Bonga's oil transfer systems that had failed during the 2011 spill. Despite attempts to address these problems, the report indicated a continuation of risks due to maintenance neglect and poor safety culture within company operations. Additionally, worker surveys from 2012, 2014, and 2021 showcased deteriorating views among employees regarding safety, with concerns about resources and expertise on board. Shell asserted improvements in safety records post-2018, but internal documents revealed that issues such as severe corrosion and faulty firefighting systems persisted across other vessels in their fleet, further questioning the company's safety protocols and culture. Consequently, these findings raise serious concerns about the safety of Shell's production operations, particularly in light of past events and existing unresolved issues that could lead to future spills or accidents.