Attack on Niger-Benin oil pipeline | OilPrice.com

In a tragic incident, unidentified assailants attacked soldiers guarding the crucial oil pipeline between Niger and Benin, leaving six soldiers dead. Three security sources confirmed the attack, which took place between the villages of Salkam and Tibiri in the southeastern Dosso region of Niger.

The attack targeted a patrol unit assigned to protect the pipeline. Despite the violence, the pipeline itself was not damaged, a source said.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the region is known for the presence of militant groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS, raising fears that these groups may be involved. This is the first attack on security forces tasked with securing the pipeline and highlights the increasing risks in the region, including to oil infrastructure.

The Niger-Benin pipeline is designed to transport crude oil from the Agadem field in Niger to the port of Seme in Benin, covering a distance of about 2,000 km. The pipeline is an important economic development for Niger as it provides a reliable export route that can increase the country’s oil revenues.

Niger’s oil industry is relatively young, but began production in 2011 with the development of the Agadem oil field by the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). While the country’s oil production is modest compared to major global producers, it is a crucial component of its economy, contributing significantly to government revenues and attracting foreign investment in exploration and infrastructure development.

International oil companies already face difficult choices in Niger, balancing the potential for significant oil reserves with geopolitical and operational risks. The country’s relatively unexplored basins offer attractive opportunities for new discoveries and the government has shown a willingness to work with foreign investors by offering favorable conditions and supporting infrastructure development. However, security concerns, political instability and underdeveloped infrastructure can pose significant hurdles to operations.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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