Exxon Mobil: Nigeria production decline caused by pipeline repair work

Oil workers repairing pipelines at Okrika Jetty in River State Nigeria. PHOTO/File

Exxon Mobil PLC has warned that it won’t be able to meet its production forecast for Qua Iboe crude oil pumped from Nigeria due to pipeline repair work.

The Exxon Mobil Nigerian subsidiary said in a statement late Thursday it had declared a “force majeure” warning for shipments of its Qua Iboe crude oil — meaning the company cannot cover the promised supply from the field.

Exxon Mobil said it was working to repair a section of a major pipeline and that production continues in fields which aren’t affected by the damaged pipeline.

The statement did not say when the lines would be running at capacity again.

Nigeria, which produces more than 2 million of barrels of oil a day, is a top crude oil supplier to the U.S.