CEOAFRICA gathered that over $100 million (about N15.6 billion) has so far been lost by marginal oil field operators to crude oil theft in 2013.

Felix Amieyeofori, Managing Director, Energia Ltd, an indigenous crude oil marginal field operator, disclosed this at the preconference workshop organized by the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationist (NAPE) in Lagos on Monday.

The operator of Energia/Oando joint venture, owners of Obodougwe/Obodeti fields in Delta State, said that one of the major challenges confronting marginal field operators was crude oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism.

“We are still working with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on ways to find lasting solution to the menace,” he said.

He however established that a situation whereby 30 percent is lost from 3,500 barrels of crude oil pumped into the system is nothing but a great loss to marginal field operators.