Shell confirms attack on its oil pipeline in Nigeria

Oil company Royal Dutch Shell has confirmed its pipeline in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta region was attacked on Friday.

In response to Xinhua's inquiry, Shell Nigeria said there were "signs of a leak" on its Forcados export pipeline.

The statement comes after a reported attack on the pipeline in the early hours of Friday.

"We are yet to fully evaluate the potential impact and damage to the pipeline resulting from this latest incident," the company said, adding it had "mobilized oil spill response measures."

A Nigerian armed group, the Niger Delta Avengers, earlier said it had blown up a Shell Nigeria pipeline, which had just undergone repairs following a previous bombing in February.

The group said it carried out the bombing at 3:00 local time on Friday, adding it had warned Shell Nigeria "not to go ahead with repair works but they refused."

The attacked oil pipeline is said to transport 250,000 barrels of oil per day.

Niger Delta Avengers has previously targeted oil pipelines in Nigeria. Its activities have become more audacious in recent weeks.

The group on Thursday claimed responsibility for the bombing of crude oil pipelines in Bayelsa state.

It said the attacks were "in line with our promise to all international oil companies and indigenous oil companies that Nigeria oil production will be zero."

The militants recently rejected a meeting with the federal government in Abuja.

Recent attacks on oil and gas facilities have harmed Nigeria's oil production, bringing it down to 1.4 million barrels per day. Endit