Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), the operator of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 30, has relocated more than 100 residents of the Uzere community in Delta State as investigations into reported gas bubbles in the area continue.
The move was described by the company as a precautionary measure to protect residents living close to the affected locations while relevant agencies investigate the nature and source of the reported gas activity. The relocation was highlighted during a multi‑agency visit that included the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Delta State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), together with OML 30 joint‑venture partners and other stakeholders.
During the visit, Heritage Energy’s Manager of Community Relations, Jeremiah Oharisi, said the company was working with community leaders and the local government council to ensure the safety of residents. He added that the company’s responsibility to its host communities extends beyond its oil and gas operations and that it would continue to support residents during the period of uncertainty.
Oharisi also explained that the company has carried out gas sampling, air‑quality assessments and monitoring across identified locations, with support from its emergency response team and a fire department that operates five fire trucks. Independent technical experts have been engaged to analyse the gas samples, while NUPRC facilitated the involvement of Norwegian specialists who visited the community to collect additional samples for advanced isotope analysis. The results are expected to help determine the source and composition of the reported emissions.
Godwin Tepikor, Director of the South South Directorate of NEMA, praised Heritage Energy’s intervention, particularly the relocation of residents, and urged the company to sustain collaboration with SEMA and community representatives, especially in addressing requests for relocation from other residents. He stressed that the government has a duty of care to provide humanitarian assistance to citizens during emergencies.
The community acknowledged the company’s response, with Dr Uyomatere Ajirioghene thanking Heritage Energy but noting that more needed to be done. The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the Ovie of Uzere Kingdom, His Royal Majesty King Isaac Udogri I, before holding a town‑hall meeting with residents. Heritage Energy operates OML 30 on behalf of its joint‑venture partners, NNPC
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
