Lagos — United States energy giant, Chevron, confirmed weekend that it had lifted a force majeure on production and production of crude oil from its Escravos terminal in Warri South-West Local Govern-ment Area of Delta State, a month and a half after it was forced by militants to shut in around 90,000 barrels per day from the facility.

General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs of Chevron, Engr. Femi Odumabo, said in a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday that the company had lifted the measure, declared on 19 November and which frees it from contractual obligations.

"Chevron Nigeria Limited, operator of the NNPC/ Chevron Joint Venture confirms that the Force Majeure declared on November 18 through December 31, 2008 on its Escravos Terminal in Delta State has been lifted effective January 1, 2009," Odumabo said.

"Consequently, production and lifting operations have resumed. The previously planned liftings in November and December were altered due to an attack on the company's pipelines by unknown persons in November, 2008," he added.

The company's crude exports suffered a major setback when it declared a force majeure on its Escravos crude oil exports, until the end of 2008, owing to militant attack on its pipeline.

"This is due to breach on the main onshore pipeline carrying about 90,000 barrels per day to Escravos, Delta State . Repair plans are being prepared and it would be premature to estimate completion time," the company had said in a statement.

The declaration of force majeure indemnified the company from any contractual obligations to its customers as it cited unforeseen circumstances as reasons that prevented it from meeting such obligations.

Barely 24 hours after Chevron declared a Force Majeure, the Joint Tax Force (JTF) said its troops had successfully foiled an attack launched on the oil platform by militants.

Although no group claimed responsibility, the attack on the pipeline was blamed on militants believed to be responding to JTF arrest of a vessel, MT Akuada, laden with 12, 000 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil, with 22 Filipinos on board.

The pipeline was located in Abiteye, where oil and gas facilities had suffered series of attacks since the renewed violence in the oil-rich region. Suspected militants had in June 2008 blown up the Abiteye-Olero crude pipeline, forcing Chevron to cut around 120,000 bpd for nearly a month.