Nigerian militants attacked a Royal Dutch Shell oil pipeline and Chevron-operated oilfield in the Niger Delta as heavy fighting with security forces entered a fourth day, militants and a security source said today.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, responsible for attacks that have cut a fifth of the Opec member's output since early 2006, has launched what it called an "oil war" on the oil sector bombing pipelines, platforms, gas plants and oilfields in the last four days.
"A major crude oil pipeline ... belonging to the Shell Petroleum Development Company was destroyed with high explosives," MEND said.
A security source said the militant group also attacked Chevron's Idama oilfield, but were repelled by security forces.
"As a precaution, the company has evacuated its offshore personnel," the source said.
Shell and Chevron officials were not immediately available for comment.
Security sources say the latest fighting was the heaviest between militants and security forces in more than two years.
Up to 115,000 barrels per day of oil production may have been halted in four days of fighting, government officials said.
Reuters