The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, or NNPCL, claims to have discovered 77 illicit refineries and pipelines in the Niger Delta region in just one week.

Nigeria had over 589 oil leaks in 2024, the most of which were caused by oil theft.

A review of the data revealed that 58 illicit refineries and 19 illegal pipeline connections were discovered.

In a video documentary posted on its official YouTube account on Tuesday, the NNPCL stated that it has logged 159 incidences of oil theft in the region.

The finds, according to the NNPCL, were made during a series of activities from January 18 to 24, 2025.

It further stated that 25 people were arrested as a result of the operations, which also found several illicit oil installations.

“An industry-wide security partnership to protect hydrocarbon infrastructure continues to produce outstanding outcomes,” the statement stated.

The Command and Control Center of NMPC Ltd., Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd., Maton Engineering Nigeria Ltd., Shell Petroleum Development Company Ltd., Oando PLC, and the Government Security Agencies were among the companies and stakeholders listed by the national oil company as being involved in the operations.

This comes one week after the national oil company revealed that it had found 29 illicit pipeline connections and 55 unlawful refineries.

NNPCL listed a number of significant oil theft events, including the report of a significant break on the Oando to NLNG Boni gas pipeline system in River State.

It also documented damage on a gas pipeline, causing it to shut down and affecting gas flow to Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, or NLNG.

The national oil corporation reported many cases of crude oil pipeline vandalism and illicit connections to condensate pipelines in Bayelsa’s Ikenzi and Oruma districts.

“Similar breaches were discovered in Ugu, Edo State, Ipu South, Abia State, and at a wellhead in Buguma, River State,” according to the statement.

The company also stated that all unlawful connections had been removed, and repairs had been completed effectively.

Illegal refineries have been uncovered in Bile, Boni, Oigu, Okoloma, Ayama, and Ward 7, Dema Abe, all in River State.

Seven occurrences were reported in the Western corridor, 72 in the Central Corridor, 41 in the Eastern corridor, and 39 in the Deep Blue water, according to a breakdown of the 159 incidents that occurred in the Niger Delta region.

The business emphasized that it will continue to battle crude oil theft and that it is unwavering in its effort to combat the threat.