The Nigerien government plans to drill a relief well from 24 October to 26 December in an attempt to bring under control the eruption at Goumeri W-8, in the Agadem oil block, the ministers for petroleum and the environment announced on Tuesday 20 October in Niamey.
The platform for the future directional well Goumeri W-8R is complete and equipment is on site, according to their press briefing reported by the Niger News Agency. However, the detailed technical programme is still awaited. Ministers said the envisaged dates did not guarantee control of the eruption before the end of the work.
Authorities now describe a low-intensity eruption and a crude oil spill contained by CNPC teams, the operator. They nonetheless maintain monitoring of the site and risks until the technical operations are completed.
Both ministries also call for monitoring of water quality, clean-up of soils and restoration of affected environments. They announce an economic and environmental assessment intended to evaluate the damage and the reparations owed to populations.
The incident began on 25 September. The European Copernicus service had still detected a methane leak on 13 October, according to satellite observations published the following day. This earlier finding concerns gas releases into the atmosphere, distinct from the containment of oil on the ground announced on Tuesday.