The Federal Government says it is investigating reports of gas bubbling in the ground and nearby water bodies in Bille Community, Rivers State, and has assured residents that regulators are responding to the situation.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo, said he had received briefings on the reported seepage in the Bille area, located within the Oil Mining Lease 18 corridor.
According to the minister, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency have begun field investigations in collaboration with operators working in the OML 18 area.
He said the response followed reports from residents of Bille and neighbouring communities who observed unusual bubbling in nearby water bodies.
The minister said two joint investigation visits had already been carried out at the affected locations. Samples collected during the inspections have been sent for laboratory analysis.
He said preliminary findings had not established any direct link between the bubbling and oil pollution, pipeline leaks or other operational failures linked to oil and gas infrastructure in the area.
However, he said final laboratory results were still being awaited to determine the exact cause of the occurrence.
Ekpo said he had directed the NUPRC to step up technical investigations, conduct further site visits and maintain continuous monitoring of the affected locations.
He added that the commission, working with operators in the area, would continue efforts to identify the source of the seepage and ensure that any necessary remedial action is taken once the investigation is concluded.
The minister said the safety of host communities, environmental protection and the wellbeing of residents in oil and gas-producing areas remained a priority for the Federal Government.
He urged residents of the affected communities to remain calm and cooperate with regulatory authorities and technical teams carrying out the investigation.
The statement was issued by the spokesman for the Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Gas, Louis Ibah, on March 16, 2026.
