Niger points to technical shortcomings at Goumeri W-8 well
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Journal du Niger
Three weeks after the Goumeri W-8 oil well stopped erupting in the Agadem region, Niger’s government revealed technical shortcomings at the operator and is awaiting environmental analysis results, according to the Ministry of Petroleum. The eruption, which required a relief well, was the subject of a report submitted by Sonatrach.
The Nigerien government says it has identified serious technical shortcomings in the construction of the Goumeri W-8 oil well, in the Agadem block, according to a joint statement by the Ministries of Petroleum and Environment dated 10 November. The authorities also said the well’s eruption, which had lasted 25 days, stopped on 20 October at around 7am.
A government mission present at the site and satellite images confirmed that the eruption had not resumed since it stopped, according to Niger’s Ministries of Petroleum and Environment. The authorities are also awaiting the results of environmental analyses linked to the incident.
