Shell Nigeria is said to be putting up for sale, four on-shore Niger Delta oil blocks with a combined production of around 70,000 barrels per day (bpd).

This latest move by oil major to divest assets from the area was disclosed on Thursday by two industry sources.

Shell is one of several oil majors selling off fields in the swampy Niger Delta, where production on some fields is peaking and operations are plagued by rampant oil theft and fraught community relations.

According to the source, Shell Nigeria plans to sell oil mining licences (OMLs) 18, 24, 25 and 29, while the spokesman of Shell Nigeria, Precious Okolobo commented that the review is still ongoing, noting that he could not determine which if any, blocks may be put up for sale.

The companies in the Niger Delta have after militant attacks ended with amnesty, remain a major target for oil thieves, whom Chatham House says stole 100,000 barrels a day in the first quarter of this year.

However, US-based Chevron Corp is considering bids this week from prospective buyers of three oil blocks in the Niger Delta with total reserves of around 134 million.