Niger: Accidental crude oil spill in the Agadem block

In Niger, the Goumeri W-8 oil site, located in the Agadem block, experienced an accidental crude oil eruption on September 25th. A significant quantity of crude oil and gas was ejected to a height of "more than ten meters".

Specialized teams are mobilized day and night on site to secure the facilities, contain the crude oil spills and end the eruption.

"An environmental incident of exceptional severity"

In a statement released on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the Nigerien Ministry of Petroleum described the eruption as an "environmental incident of exceptional severity." It acknowledged that, as of October 12, 2026, the "situation is only partially under control."

"The platform in question, shared with the Goumeri W-3 and Goumeri W-4 wells, is severely degraded and the integrity of these two neighbouring wells is compromised," the statement also informs, adding that the causes of the incident have not yet been fully established.

However, initial findings rule out the "criminal or terrorist angle".

No loss of life has been reported to date. Two employees exposed on the first day of the incident were hospitalized and are receiving treatment.

An independent investigative body has been established.

The government has taken appropriate precautionary and control measures with regard to the operator (China National Petroleum Corporation) and has put in place an independent investigation mechanism into the causes and responsibilities, with the assistance of Algerian expertise as well as overall coordination of the State's response," the Ministry of Petroleum reports.

All responsibilities will be established and assumed and all damages will be covered, in accordance with applicable laws, he assures.

Local residents are urged to strictly respect the security perimeter established around the site.

Currently, experts deployed on site are working to contain the spilled oil using dikes, trenches and basins before its recovery and transport to the Goumeri treatment plant.